The book is devoted to a comprehensive study of Manichaeism, a religion that originated in the 3rd century. AD It tells about the life of the founder of the religion, about the emergence and subsequent history of the Manichaean church, about the Manichaean texts. Based on Coptic and other sources, the Manichaean doctrine is reconstructed. Characterizing Manichaean myths and characters, the author attaches particular importance to the study of the Gnostic roots of Manichaeism, emphasizing that the doctrine of Mani was an attempt to combine the apocryphal Christianity in which he was raised with Zoroastrianism, Buddhism and Mithraism. An important part of the book consists of Manichaean, anti-Manichaean and apocryphal texts, published in translation and with comments by the author. Most of these texts have not yet been translated into Russian. Contents: Introduction 10Part I. Mani, teaching and literature of the Manichaeans 12Chapter 1. Sources on Manichaeism 12Chapter 2. Biography of Mani 31Chapter 3. History of the Manichaean church after the death of Mani. 69Manichaeism in Egypt 69Community structure, hierarchy, ritual 76Chapter 4. Manichaean books 82Treatise "Kefalaya" ("Chapters"): origin, features of the genre 92Language of "Kefalaya" and other Coptic books 120Chapter 5. Reconstruction of the Manichaean doctrine. The nature of Manichaean syncretism 126Part II. Components of the Manichaean doctrine 136Bright beginning 136Father of greatness 137Greatness 139Aeon 142New aeon 144Intelligent 147Thought 154Call, call 157Great spirit 158First man 161Beloved 165Builder 166Living spirit 167Call and Hearing 17 0Bearers 1711. Ruler of Light 1712. King of Honor. 1733. Adamant of light 1734. King of glory. 1755. Omophorion 176Third Messenger 177Virgo, Maiden of Light 180Pillar 182Jesus-Radiance 185Judgment, Judge 188Child 191Mind of Light 192Apostle 194Double 194Paraclete 197Form (Virgin) of Light 200Gods, Rich and Angels 202God, Gods 204Rich , wealth 206Angels 207Peace (ειρήνη) 211Silence 211Peace 212Image 212Liberation, purification 213Father 214Manifestation 215Light 215Lamp , luminary 216 Word 218 Savior, salvation 220 Dark beginning 222 Darkness, darkness 222 Matter 222 Sin 233 Abyss, abyss, pit 235 Enemy, enemy 238 Polar division of the dark beginning 2391. Male and female 2392. Dry and wet 2463. Heat and cold 2 46Demon, devil 249Archons 253Miscarriages 259Sakla 262Madness 267King of darkness 269Power 279Leader, leader 279Night 280Sediment, remainder 280Nature 280Birth, give birth 282Death 282Guardians 283Ball 286Material world 290Elements, Living soul 290 Fire 299 Water 306 Air 306 Darkness 307 Jesus 307 Adam and Eve 311 Apostle 316 Battle, war, struggle 324 Buddha 325 Top and bottom, cardinal directions 326 Taste 329 Outside and inside 330 Gates 330 Time, period 331 Gehenna 333Giant 334Mountain 335Border, limit 337Sin 338Day 339Tree 339Soul 342Smoke 346Dwellings 346Sculpture 351Wheel 352Beauty 353Cross 354False teaching, sect 356 "Lichme" 356 Alms 358 Peace (κόσμος) 358 Sea 359 Sky 359 Robe 360 Drains 363 Rebirth 364 Sorrow, trouble, calamity, oppression 365 Seal 366 Food 367 Flesh 368 Fast 369 Belt 3 70 Righteousness, righteous 370 Throne 371 Seth 372 Listener 373 Confusion 374 Wall 375 Pillar 377 Judgment 377 Sphere 378 Creation, creator 379 Body 380 Bonds 381 Strengthening, strengthening 381 Kingdom, kingdom 382 Church 383 Man 385Conclusion 388Part III. Applications. Selected early sources on Manichaeanism 400Quotes from the book “The Treasure of Life” 400Augustine. Against Felix, II, V 400 Euodius. From the treatise "On Faith against the Manichaeans", ch. 14-16 400Excerpts from Epistula Fundamenti 403Augustine. From the treatise "Contra Epistulam Fundamenti" 403Augustine. From the treatise “On the Nature of Good” 405Evodius. From the treatise "On Faith against the Manichaeans", ch. 5-11 406Expositions of the Manichaean doctrine by opponents 408Alexander Nikopolsky 408Acta Archelai 410Epiphanius. From the treatise "Panarion" 420Theodoret of Cyrus 424Theodore Bar Konai 427Excerpts from Manichaean texts 434From the first part of the treatise "Kefalaya" ("Chapters") 434From the third part of the treatise "Kefalaya" 439From Coptic Manichaean psalms 441Psalms of Bema 441Psalms of Sarakoton 447Psalm Heraclides 449Psalm from Kellis 456Non-Manichaean pseudepigraphic texts 457Life Adam and Eve 457Greek version 459Latin version 478Legend of the Guardians from the 1st book of Enoch, according to the Greek version 493Magical text "The Spell of the "Accomplice"" 498List of abbreviations 500Literature 502