Miriai

Miriai or Meryey was a Mandaean woman mentioned in Mandaean scriptures. Miriai is one of the most important figures in the Mandaean Book of John, which contains detailed stories and speeches of Miriai in chapters 34 and 35. Miriai lived in a Mandaean village in Judea around the first century CE. According to the Mandaean Book of John, she was a contemporary of Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist. (i.e., the Qulasta).

Story In Mandaean scriptures such as the Mandaean Book of John, Miriai criticizes the Jewish religious tradition from which she had come from while extolling the virtues of Mandaeism. Miriai is considered to have descended from "priest-kings" of Judea, and one of her duties was to clean the Jewish temple. Due to her conversion to Mandaeism and lateness in getting home, Miriai's father condemns her and calls her a prostitute. Ultimately, Miriai is depicted as a Mandaean priest and teacher.

In other religions The Mandaic name Miriai is cognate with the Hebrew name Miriam. Miriai may ultimately be linked to Mary, the mother of Jesus, but the Mandaean story of Miriai is not apparently related to any stories in the canonical Christian gospels. Some identify Miriai with Mary Magdalene.