Another Genesis apocryphal story: the Sun, the Moon and the Sky

This time, we explore another story from this oral Bible—a tale with a distinct dualistic nature. This time, we turn to the origins of the sky, the sun, and the moon.

Genesis: The Sun and the Sacred Days

After the people went to sleep, God began the work of creating the sun. He struck flint against a precious stone, but at first, it didn’t go as planned—a sword emerged instead. On the second attempt, a rounded shape formed, like a small loaf of bread. God breathed the Holy Spirit into it, and the sun became large and radiant, greater even than the Earth. Then He placed it under the Earth.

When God saw that the time was right, He raised up the people. Light spread across the world. They looked in wonder in all directions: the dawn turned the sky red, the darkness began to retreat, and the white light of day covered the earth. The people rejoiced, but they were still scratched and bruised.

Then, as if from a divine joke in the heavens, a brilliant light rose from beneath the earth. Slowly, something round and shining emerged—it was the holy sun, rising! Overwhelmed by awe and fear, the people fell to the ground. Even the devil, wherever he had been, wiped his eyes and asked, “Ptoo! What is this?” Then he rushed to God.

“It is the sun,” said God, “which will now light the world.”

When the people had gazed their fill, God said to them:

“See how beautiful I have made the world? This is the sun, which will bring you light and warmth. From now on, your days will follow its path. Behave well, obey My commandments, and honor the days as I give them to you.”

(While the first two people slept, they forgot that the days were their children.)

“This is Sunday,” God said. “It is a holy day—rest, and do not work. Monday and the others are for your labor, but I will give you other sacred days too. Keep them, honor them, and you will find good fortune in the world.”

The Moon

For seven years after the world was made, the Holy Sun traveled alone—the Moon had not yet been created.

Then God said, “Let us give the people light during the night as well.”

The devil, always eager, answered, “Yes, Lord. Let me help.”

“Very well,” God said. “Return to the earth and bring me the same precious stone, flints, and silver.”

Word spread quickly: God was going to give the people the Moon. The devil gathered what was needed, but God refused to work with him.

“What should I do then?” asked the devil.

“Go,” said God. “Build hell. Make it circular, and cover it with iron doors above.” So the devil left.

God went on alone and made the Moon in the form of a man. He crafted a narrow silver road, lined with trees on both sides, and told the Moon to walk this path to the house of the Sun.

“You are his companion,” God said. “Follow him, but always at a distance. At times, come closer; then move away again. This is the path I have set for you, now and forever.”

The Sun knew of this. One morning, as he rose, he said to his wife,

“Prepare the house. My companion will soon arrive.”

The Moon came to the Sun’s house, shared a meal, and began its work. Along with the salt of the earth, it became full by sunrise. The people rejoiced to have light even at night—and the devil was overjoyed.

“Now people can work at night too!” he exclaimed.

But God said, “It shall not be so. Only half of the Moon will shine at night; the other half will not.”

For the Moon is like a man. At first, he is small like a child. Then he grows, his wings spreading around him, until he becomes full and round. After that, he begins to age, shrinking gradually until he is no larger than a finger—and then he is born again.

The Moon is lifted by seven devils. They enjoy the journey because the Moon is cold. Its wings are made of precious stone, and it is adorned with silver—not gold, like the Sun. That is why the Sun is hot: its wings are made of fire.

Dragons or werewolves sometimes eat the Moon—they clip its wings during the waning phase. These same dragons are also said to create the most precious stones.

The Sky, the Fasts, and the Rohmans

In the beginning, the Sun and the Moon walked through the open air, not the heavens as they do now. It was a hard path. So they prayed to God to create the sky above, a place where they could travel more easily.

The Seven Holy Apostles offered to help—but only if people would honor them by fasting and not eating meat. That is why there are seven fasting periods in the year.

The apostles journeyed below, to the world of the Rohmans—beings who live beneath the sea, in another realm. God gave them wings, and they returned with a stone more precious than any on Earth. From this, they fashioned wax like glass and raised seven pillars of precious stone.

Because maintaining the heavenly lamp is such great labor, the apostles asked God to require fasting from the people, so they would not weaken. There are four primary fasts; the other three pillars support them, so when one falters, the others hold firm.

When all was ready, the Sun and Moon ascended to the heavens, where their paths became smoother, as if walking on floors. Now we see them only through a kind of window. The Sun no longer burns as fiercely as it once did. From dawn until noon, twelve oxen pull the Sun upward. At midday, they turn back, and seven rabbits carry the Sun down.

Why the Sun and Moon Are Red at Rise

Why are the Sun and Moon red when they rise? Because they are human—and they are ashamed. People throw garbage before them as they awaken, and this shame reddens their faces.

The Stars, the Year

This is how the stars were made: as each person was born, God placed a star in the sky for them. That is why stars continue to multiply.

At the beginning of the year, God is young—and by the end, He is old. That is why we call it the “New Year”: because God is reborn, fresh and beautiful, like Saint Paul, the teacher of humankind. He too is young at the year's start and old by its end.

There are dragons in heaven, born from serpents on Earth. When they ascend, God opens the sky for them. If they descended instead, they would burn us all. Sometimes they try to return to Earth, but God holds them back. He reveals them only to frighten us, to remind us to repent. At the end of time, they will come—and then people will suffer from thirst and torment so great, they will plead with the dead: “Rise from your graves, that we, the living, may take your place.”

Dragons are God’s playthings, but He places Saint George to guard against them. Sometimes, when crops fail to ripen, dragons assist the Sun with their fire.