9th-century chronicle: three men in black transport abbot 700 AD. The account is recorded in the 9th-century Book of Pontiffs of the Church of Ravenna written by Agnellus Three men dressed entirely in black appeared to Abbot John in Constantinople around 700 AD They told him to draw a complete ship in the sand, including sails, oars, lifeboats, and sailors
The 9th-century Book of Pontiffs by Agnellus records that around 700 AD, three men dressed entirely in black appeared to Abbot John in Constantinople. They instructed him to draw a complete ship in the sand, then lie inside the hull during terrifying sounds without speaking, crying out, or making the sign of the cross. He completed the journey from Constantinople to Ravenna in one night—a voyage normally taking a month. The emperor's sealed letter he delivered was dated yesterday, confirming the supernatural nature of the experience.
Key Facts
- The account is recorded in the 9th-century Book of Pontiffs of the Church of Ravenna written by Agnellus
- Three men dressed entirely in black appeared to Abbot John in Constantinople around 700 AD
- They told him to draw a complete ship in the sand, including sails, oars, lifeboats, and sailors
- He was instructed to lie inside the hull and endure terrifying sounds without speaking, crying out, or making the sign of the cross
- He completed the journey from Constantinople to Ravenna in one night, despite it normally taking one month by sea
- The emperor's sealed letter he delivered the next morning was dated yesterday, confirming the supernatural nature of the experience
Source: The Ancient Men in Black: 5 Unexplained Encounters Hidden in Ancient Texts by Dark5 Ancient Mysteries