| Father of Greatness | |
|---|---|
God of Light, King of Realm of Light | |
 Father of Greatness sitting on a pedestal in the centre in the Realm of Light. Top section of theManichaean Diagram of the Universe. | |
| Other names | Zurwān[1] |
| Abode | Realm of Light |
| Symbol | Light |
| Offspring | Jesus the Splendour |
| Equivalents | |
| Zoroastrian | Zurvan |
| Gnostic | Monad[2] |
| Mandaean | Hayyi Rabbi |
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TheFather of Greatness (Middle Aramaictransl. abbā ḏ-rabbūṯā;[4]Chinese:明尊;pinyin:Míngzūn;lit. 'Radiant Lord') is the eternal divine manifestation of good inManichaeism,[2] a four-fold deity, embracingdivinity,light,power andgoodness. His throne is surrounded by at least 156 peaceful entities: 12aeons, aeons of the aeons, andangels.[5][2]
When thePrince of Darkness assaulted the Realm of Light, he invoked entities of light to ward off the invaders. These entities mingled with thedemons and gave existence to the earthly beings, thus humans carryconsubstantial light particles of the Father of Greatness, but are unaware of them until they awaken from their sleep by remembering theirdivine origin. The Father of Greatness responds by creating a series of entities to prepare a rescue for light particles.
Manichaeism rejects everything associated with evil from the Father of Greatness, the Manichaeandeity. Neither can he cause suffering nor is he able to charge.[6] He can merely defend. Thus, the power of the Father of Greatness is limited by its own nature. Although he is not all-powerful, in theend time he will have gathered all light particles and evil will be banished into its own kingdom never commingling again.[2] Therefore, Manichaeism also rejects the portrayal of God in theOld Testament, who promises victory over one's enemies (Lev: 26:3-10).[7] Accordingly, theproblem of evil can be solved straightforwardly as God is limited in his power against forces beyond theworld of light and by his own nature.[8]
In theAsut Malkia, a commonly recitedMandaeanprayer, another name forHayyi Rabbi isAba Rba ḏ-ʿqara (ࡀࡁࡀ ࡓࡁࡀ ࡖࡏࡒࡀࡓࡀ 'Great Father of Glory').[9]
