A third category of pseudepigrapha writings seems to be writings akin to the mythologies ascribed to gods and goddesses of the previous cults of the pagan world.
We must bear in mind that during the first to fourth century AD every city of the Roman Empire had its temple dedicated to a Greek or Roman god or goddess. This was the context of early gentile Christianity. Myth-making was the norm in this society, and a form of devotion.
In pagan religion, each god and goddess had parents and offspring, and a whole mythology about their lives on Mount Olympus. Each god was said to have done certain things, have particular interests, like certain animals, help certain people and have a particular skill set in powers to achieve certain things.
Each local god or goddess had their polychrome painted statue in their temple, for the protection of local people. They had festivals with particular rites and offerings prescribed. Each god or goddess had their own following and craftsmen making merchandise to sell.
Ephesus with its huge temple to the goddess Artemis was a prime example of such a cult. Artemis was a goddess of virginity as well as hunting. She liked deer and had a golden chariot pulled by golden hinds. Her virginity made her strong and independent of male gods.
Six Books Dormition Apocryphon
Content: The Virgin Mary prays using incense, she performs miracles, healing people and instructing women. Mary is based in Jerusalem but travels by translocation. Jesus tells Mary that her body will be taken to Paradise to await the resurrection. Mary visits heaven in a chariot with Jesus. She has a vision of heaven and hell.
The apostles write down the liturgy they should use for Mary, to observe her festivals three times a year and put bread on her alter.
Notice that putting bread on the alter of Mary was exactly what the women following the ‘collyris cult’ of Mary were doing in 300 AD in Arabia. They were baking bread cakes called collyris to take to the shrine of Mary.
Mention of liturgies for Mary being written down and festivals in the calendar being kept may link the writer of this pseudepigrapha work to an early form of Marian devotion. Devotions to Mary started before the Council of Ephesus allowed them, and by 431 AD were already performed according to certain customs.
Merry and True 