The Encyclopedia Of Religion Volume 4 Page 165 Apr 2026

The nun opened her eyes. She smiled at Matteo, then vanished. The priest touched Matteo’s shoulder, whispered a blessing in Coptic, and was gone too.

Matteo chuckled nervously. He was a scholar, not a mystic. But as his finger traced the flame, the library lights flickered. The air thickened. Suddenly, he was no longer in Rome. the encyclopedia of religion volume 4 page 165

Matteo now faced the shadow-keeper across the flame. “How long?” he asked. The nun opened her eyes

Matteo thought of his silent office, his catalogues, his safe conclusions. Then he thought of the wars fought over names for God. He removed his spectacles, stepped forward, and knelt between the nun and the priest. Matteo chuckled nervously

Here is a story based on the archetype of the “guardian of the threshold,” a common religious and mythological motif:

“Take their place. One of them must step away so that a new voice may kneel. But once you kneel, you cannot rise until another comes to read page 165.”