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 RomanContinue reading “#24 Marian Sect Writings”
Tag Archives: Virgin Mary
#21 Conclusion on Assumption Article
Belief in the assumption of Mary is both a Catholic and Orthodox thing, not followed by Protestants. But in its favour there are Old Testament precedents as Enoch and Elijah are shown to have been assumed into heaven. There are also Jewish traditions that Moses and the Ark of the Covenant were assumed into heaven.Continue reading “#21 Conclusion on Assumption Article”
#20 The Queen of Heaven of Revelation Chapter 12
“A great and wonderous sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head. She was pregnant and cried out in pain as she was about to give birth. Then another sign appeared in heaven: an enormous red dragon withContinue reading “#20 The Queen of Heaven of Revelation Chapter 12”
#18 Doctrines of East and West Concerning Mary
The Orthodox and Catholic Churches share three basic beliefs about Mary: that of her perpetual virginity, that she has the title ‘Bearer of God’ or ‘Mother of God’, and that she was assumed into heaven. Ever virgin The perpetual virginity of Mary was proclaimed at the Synod of Milan in 389 AD. Mary is calledContinue reading “#18 Doctrines of East and West Concerning Mary”
#17 Allowing and Banning of Religious Images in Church Councils
The veneration of Mary was allowed by church councils from early on, but it was not very long before there were attempts to ban religious images as objects of veneration. Thus, there was an acknowledgment of excess as well as a clinging to this type of piety. Eucumenical Church Councils The initial Council of JerusalemContinue reading “#17 Allowing and Banning of Religious Images in Church Councils”
#8 Mount Zion
It is known that Mary spent the remainder of her days after the crucifixion in the household of the apostle John: From the cross Jesus gave the care of his mother to his youngest apostle, John, and the care of John to his mother. This is what the Gospel of John records: “Near the crossContinue reading “#8 Mount Zion”
#7 The Ark of the Covenant
Mary living at the Temple is linked to her being symbolically the ‘Ark of the New Covenant’. Assumption is a belief connected not only to people, but also to the Ark of the Covenant. The Ark of the Covenant was a wooden case covered with pure gold. The lid was elaborately designed with two cherubim. Continue reading “#7 The Ark of the Covenant”
#5 Assumption of Mary
Assumption is a word associated with the Virgin Mary, although we have seen that there were two and maybe three precedents for this in the Old Testament with Enoch, Moses and Elijah. The New Testament does not describe the later years of Mary or how she died. Information concerning Mary’s death, burial and assumption comeContinue reading “#5 Assumption of Mary”
#2 No Bodily Relics of Mary
There are relics of many, if not most saints, but there are no relics of the Virgin Mary. John of Damascus or John Damascene (c.675 – c.750), a Christian Arab theologian wrote the following about a request for the relics of Mary to be sent: “St Juvenal, Bishop of Jerusalem, at the Council of ChalcedonContinue reading “#2 No Bodily Relics of Mary”
#1 The Assumption of Mary: Jerusalem or Ephesus?
Introduction The Assumption of Mary is a belief shared by Orthodox and Catholics, but not shared by Protestant Christians. The Assumption of Mary has been celebrated throughout the church since before the 5th century. The Feast of the Assumption was established in the eastern church on the 15th August by Emperor Maurice in about 600 AD. InContinue reading “#1 The Assumption of Mary: Jerusalem or Ephesus?”
Merry and True 