The Holy Grail in Robert de Boron's Joseph of Arimathea

Robert de Boron, with his Joseph of Arimathea, explains the history of the Holy Grail and identifies it with the vessel used by Jesus Christ to celebrate the Last Supper.

THE JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA, MERLIN, AND PERCEVAL

If Chretien de Troyes' Story of the Grail draws its narrative essence from Celtic elements, Robert de Boron's text (part of a trilogy consisting of Joseph, Merlin, and Perceval) draws its vital essence from apocryphal gospels such as the Gospel of Nicodemus, Healing of Tiberius, and the Vengeance of the Savior, as well as from Oriental legends or traditions such as the Georgian Legend of Lydda.

In Robert de Boron's Joseph, the Grail describes the History of the Grail prior to its manifestation at King Arthur's Court. Specifically, it deals with the Graal as the vessel of Jesus' Last Supper which is recovered by Joseph of Arimathea who collects the blood of the Crucified Jesus in it.

"He to whom it is served was my brother. Your mother was mine and his sister, and as for the rich Fisher King, I believe he is the son of him who is served with the grail. And do not think they bring him pike or lampreys or salmon; with a single host that they bring him in that Grail, we know, he sustains and comforts his life, so holy is the Grail and he is so rich in spirituality that now his life is sustained only by the host that comes in the Grail. For fifteen years it has been so, that he has not left the chamber where you saw the Grail enter. Now I want to enjoin you and give you a penance to do for this sin of yours."

Passion and Collection of Blood with Nicodemus

The story begins with the birth of Mary (and this too is significant because it is described in the Gospel of Nicodemus), then there is the entire description of Judas's betrayal, and finally we arrive at the passion and death of Christ. Here enters the main character who is Joseph of Arimathea, who is also mentioned in the Gospel of John as a secret disciple of the Lord and who here assumes the characteristic of a knight in service to Pilate for 5 years. Pilate, in addition to the body, delivers to Joseph of Arimathea the vessel of the Last Supper where Joseph collects the blood of the Crucified Christ.

Imprisoned, He Sees Christ, Receives the Grail and Secret Teachings

It then happens that Joseph of Arimathea is imprisoned, and during his imprisonment, the risen Christ comes to visit him, bringing him the Grail. In this context, he reveals to him the power of the Grail which is associated with the resurrection. In their meeting, Jesus explains to Joseph that he has chosen him for a special task, that he is destined for eternal life by virtue of having guarded the body of Christ and having become one of the guardians of the Grail.

"Do you know what you have merited by receiving my body as a gift? When you leave this world you will have eternal life. I have not brought with me any of my disciples: do you know why? Because none knows the deep love I feel for you since you took me down from the cross, without feeling any vainglory for it. No one knows your loyal heart, except yourself and the spiritual God. You have loved me secretly and I have loved you, do not doubt it. Our love will be revealed and all will be able to know it; but it will bring grave harm to the wicked Jews, those unbelievers. The symbol of my death will be entrusted to you and you will be its guardian; and after you, those to whom you entrust it must guard it." Our Lord presented him with the noble and precious vessel in which was contained the blood that Joseph had collected.