Page 123 - LD215 History of the Church in Africa A4 final

CH A P T E R 7

The

Middle

Ages

The Legend of Prester John

istory records little about the influence of Christianity in Africa
during the early Middle Ages. It is probable that travelers took
H the gospel inland near the source of the Nile and the Great Lake
areas since communications followed waterways. Evidence indicates
that the church in Ethiopia survived and spread inland.

During the Middle Ages, a legend surfaced in Europe about an
African Christian ruler by the name of Prester John. We hear of Prester
John, who lived somewhere beyond the orient, during the time of the
Crusades. According to Bishop Hugh, Prester John was said to have:

[P]ut the Persians to flight…and to be a direct descendant of the
Magi, mentioned in the gospel, and to rule over the same peoples
they governed, enjoying such glory and prosperity that he uses
no scepter but one [made] of emerald. Inspired by the example
of his forefathers, who came to adore Christ in his cradle, he had
planned to go to Jerusalem. (quoted in Forbath, 20)

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