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Ozryel is one of the names of the Angel of Death. It is found in Medieval, Hebrew, and Islamic writings. Translated as ‘One Whom God Helps,’ the name can also be rendered as Izrail, Azrin, Azriel, et cetera.
Silas tsked and turned the page.
As master of life and death, the figure is commonly depicted as a gatekeeper of the afterlife. Jewish mystics commonly associate Ozryel with the destroying angel who killed the firstborn of Egypt during Passover. Ozryel survived in popular lore during the Middle Ages when stories were carried to Europe from the Middle East.
“Tell me something I don’t know,” Silas said, trailing his finger across the page. He began skipping sections until his eyes landed on: “Religious Practices Associated with Ozryel”.
“Okay, lemme have it.”
There are no popular religious practices associated with Ozryel. Jonius Publicus, a 5th Century historian, wrote briefly about a sect that offered sacrifices to an Ozryel-type deity. They were summarily imprisoned.
“Crap.”
Silas slapped the book shut. The noise was surprisingly loud. He glanced at Hannah. She was still fast asleep on his couch. With her arms sticking out at weird angles and her head over the armrest, she reminded Silas of a chalk outline of a body. He heaved the textbook onto the fire bench and reached for another. It was something he dug out of his father’s collection.
[Read more…] about Black Days, Chapter 9: “At the Mountain of Madness”