Ermasteus the Philistine disciple
Young fisherman from Philistia of Ashkelon, converted upon hearing John preach.[1] A disciple, he joins Jesus whom he will now follow and is entrusted to John of Endor to be taught.[2] The "well-intentioned" denunciation by Judas at the Temple forces him to undergo circumcision.[3] He is part of the return journey via Gilead that completes the second great apostolic mission and stays in Aëra with Timon.
Apostolic journey
This tireless apostle departs with Joseph of Emmaus, Samuel the former crippled hunchback, and Abel the former leper to evangelize Philistia.[4] He separates from his companions to evangelize Jabneel in Philistia, where he is killed by "someone who did not want people to speak of the Messiah."[5]"He was tireless in announcing the Christ, even after he wished to part from his companion to stay with us. He said that we had more than anyone else the need to know you, O Rabbi, and that he wanted to make you known in his homeland, and that he would have returned to You when he had proclaimed your Name in all the smallest villages.
He lived like a penitent. If by pity someone gave him bread, he would bless them in your name. If stones were thrown at him, he would withdraw while blessing as well, and he would feed on wild fruits and sea mollusks which he would pluck from the rocks or dig from the sand. Many called him "mad," but no one truly hated him."
His name
Probably a Greek name linked to Hermes, the equivalent of Mercury.
Where is he mentioned in the work?
Apostolate in Philistia: GRM 219The conversion of Mary Magdalene: GRM 251 GRM 252 GRM 253 GRM 254 GRM 255
Sending of Apostles and Disciples on Mission: GRM 256 GRM 260 GRM 261 GRM 262 GRM 280
Perea, Gilead and Trachonitis: GRM 282 GRM 284 GRM 285 GRM 286 GRM 287 GRM 290 GRM 292 GRM 293 GRM 294 GRM 295 GRM 296 GRM 297
The journey of the Disciples to Antioch: GRM 316
Phoenicia and Upper Galilee: GRM 338 GRM 344 GRM 346 GRM 347
The Transfiguration and the Bread of Heaven: GRM 348 GRM 349 GRM 350 GRM 352 GRM 354 GRM 376
Plain of Sharon: GRM 404 GRM 405
The summer in Nazareth: GRM 446
In Syro-Phoenicia: GRM 466
The exile in Samaria: GRM 556 GRM 564
Notes and references
Note: Quotations from the work of Maria Valtorta on this page currently use machine-translated text and will gradually be replaced by the official English translation. Until then, the official translation may be consulted through the reference link provided with each quotation.