The Anathema Curse

In the past, writing was a painstaking process that required significant time, effort, and skill. Whether inscribed on tablets or written on parchment, manuscripts were highly valued for their rarity and the knowledge they contained. To protect these precious works from theft, some monks added book curses to their manuscripts. While many of these curses were entertaining, such as those that threatened to pluck out the thief's eyes or execute them, others were far more severe. One such curse was the Anathema Maranatha.

Unlike curses that aimed to inflict physical harm or punishment, the Anathema Maranatha warned of spiritual consequences. Anathema means "accursed" or "devoted to damnation," while Maranatha refers to the return of Christ and the judgment that will follow. Together, these words formed a serious warning to anyone who committed sin, suggesting that their very soul was at risk of divine judgment.

Modern readers sometimes misunderstand this curse, believing that the monks were essentially saying, “If you steal this book, go to Hell!” However, this was not the spirit in which the Anathema Maranatha was written. Rather it was a severe warning of excommunication and future damnation if one did not repent. Excommunication in this context did not necessarily mean banishment or shunning, but rather a temporary exclusion from communion and other church activities until the individual repented.

Despite its severity, the Anathema Maranatha remains a fascinating aspect of medieval book curses. My current cross stitch project, inspired by illuminated manuscripts, includes this particular curse as a fitting warning to adorn any library. After all, those who steal books should always live in fear of divine judgment.