Grace Thompson
The Virgin Mary is an important figure in Christianity, referred to by many titles such as Virgin or Queen. The doctrine of Mary's perpetual virginity is a dogma in the Catholic Church, although it is not universally shared among Christians. According to this belief, Mary remained a virgin for her entire life and did not have other children besides Jesus. This belief is based on interpretations of the Gospels and apocryphal writings, which describe Mary's vow of virginity and her betrothal to Joseph. The marriage between Joseph and Mary is a subject in Christian art, often depicted by renowned artists, and it holds significant implications for the faith.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Virginity | The Perpetual Virginity of Mary asserts Mary's virginity even during the birth of Jesus. |
| Marriage | Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but the Bible does not mention if the marriage was consummated. |
| Age | Mary was 13 or 14 when she was betrothed. Joseph was much older, possibly 90, according to some traditions. |
| Motherhood | Mary is considered the Mother of God and the spiritual mother of all Christians. |
| Worship | The Virgin Mary is worshipped as a mother goddess in the Christian sect of Collyridianism. |
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What You'll Learn
Virgin Mary's marriage to Saint Joseph
The marriage between the Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph is a common subject in Christian art, known as "The Marriage of the Virgin". While the wedding ceremony is not mentioned in the canonical Gospels, it is covered in several apocryphal sources and later redactions, including the 14th-century compilation "The Golden Legend". In these accounts, Mary is described as being 14 years old and living in the Temple when the High Priest gathered all the male descendants of David of marriageable age, including Saint Joseph. After the Holy Spirit descended as a dove and caused Joseph's rod to blossom, he and Mary were wed according to Jewish custom.
The Eastern Orthodox tradition interprets the same scene as representing the earlier event of the "Entrusting of Mary to Joseph", where Joseph was made Mary's guardian by the temple authorities. This interpretation is based on the belief that Joseph was much older when he married Mary and that he was a widower with children from a previous marriage. This belief is rooted in the ancient, non-canonical document, the "Protoevangelium of James".
The Catholic Church maintains that Mary and Joseph were indeed married but lived as brother and sister, with their marriage never being consummated. This belief in Mary's perpetual virginity is considered dogma by the Church, and it holds significant implications for their faith. According to Saint Augustine, Mary "remained a virgin in conceiving her Son, a virgin in giving birth to him, a virgin in carrying him, a virgin in nursing him at her breast, always a virgin".
The marriage of the Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph is often studied by canon law students as an intellectual exercise. Despite the lack of direct canonical references, the Church today would recognize their marriage as a valid Jewish ceremony. The feast for the Espousals of the Blessed Virgin Mary is celebrated by some parts of the Catholic Church on January 23.
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Virginity and motherhood
The Virgin Mary is an important figure in Christianity, often venerated as the "Mother of God". The idea of virginity and motherhood is a key aspect of her character, with the belief in her perpetual virginity being a significant dogma in the Catholic Church. This belief asserts that Mary remained a virgin even during the birth of Jesus and throughout her life, making Jesus her biological and only son.
The concept of Mary's virginity is deeply rooted in Christian theology and art. While the canonical Gospels do not mention a wedding ceremony between Mary and Joseph, apocryphal sources and artistic depictions, such as "The Marriage of the Virgin," explore this theme. Some traditions within Catholicism portray Joseph as significantly older than Mary, sometimes even 90 years old at the time of their marriage, to emphasize Mary's perpetual virginity. This interpretation suggests that Joseph acted as Mary's protector rather than a spouse, honouring her vow of chastity.
However, there are differing views on Mary's perpetual virginity, even within the Catholic Church. Some Catholics question this dogma, acknowledging the possibility that Mary and Joseph had a romantic relationship and other children together. The Orthodox Churches, for instance, hold the position articulated in the "Protoevangelium of James," suggesting that Jesus' siblings were Joseph's children from a previous marriage.
The belief in Mary's perpetual virginity holds theological significance. It elevates her role from merely being a vessel for Jesus' birth to that of a spiritual mother to all Christians, extending her motherhood beyond her biological son, Jesus. This belief also aligns with certain interpretations of Old Testament teachings on the sanctity of holy vessels, where specific vessels are dedicated to sacred purposes and cannot be used for anything else.
Mary's virginity is also connected to her worship as a mother goddess in the ancient Christian sect of Collyridianism, found in Arabia during the 300s AD. In this sect, women performed priestly acts and made bread offerings to the Virgin Mary. However, this group was condemned as heretical by the Roman Catholic Church and was actively preached against.
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Virginity in the Old Testament
The "virginity test" mentioned in Deuteronomy 22 has been interpreted in various ways and has been a topic of debate. Some argue that the test provided women with protection in a patriarchal society, as it required evidence and made it difficult for a husband to falsely accuse his wife without consequences. However, others question the reliability of the test, as it relied on physical evidence, such as the presence of blood or an intact hymen, which may not always be conclusive.
The Old Testament also addresses the concept of virginity in the context of social and monetary worth. A woman's virginity was often tied to her value in marriage, and her father could profit from her virginity through the dowry system. Additionally, a woman's virginity was linked to her family's honour, and losing her virginity outside of her parents' authorisation was considered shameful and a form of subverting parental authority.
While the Old Testament places significant emphasis on the virginity of women, there is less discussion about the virginity of men before marriage. However, it is important to note that men were also expected to be virgins, and adultery was punishable by death for both men and women, as mentioned in Deuteronomy 22:23-24.
The interpretation and understanding of these passages are influenced by the cultural, social, and historical context of the time. For example, the Law of Moses, given to the Israelites after their exodus from Egypt, reflects the conservative and closed community of that period.
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Virginity in the Gospels
The concept of virginity in the Gospels is a complex and multifaceted topic that has been interpreted and debated by theologians and scholars for centuries. While the virgin birth of Jesus is found in the Gospel of Matthew and possibly in Luke, the idea of Mary's perpetual virginity is not universally accepted.
One of the key arguments in support of Mary's perpetual virginity is the belief that her role as a spiritual mother to all Christians is elevated if she remains a virgin. This idea is rooted in the concept of virginity as sanctity and purity in the Christian tradition. By remaining a virgin, Mary is seen as a sign of the Church as a spiritual mother, inviting all believers to become "brethren" of her son, Jesus. This interpretation is supported by early Christian writings, such as the Protoevangelium of James, the Gospel of Peter, and the Infancy Gospel of Thomas, which assert that Jesus' "brothers" were children of Joseph's first marriage.
However, there are also differing viewpoints on Mary's virginity. Some argue that Mary and Joseph had a romantic relationship and that she gave birth to other children after Jesus, minimizing her role to that of a vessel for Jesus' birth. This belief is supported by passages in the Pauline epistles, the four gospels, and the Acts of the Apostles, which mention the brothers and sisters of Jesus. Additionally, the concept of virginity in the Christian tradition is not solely limited to the physical state of one's body but is also associated with integrity and intactness, representing the body of Christ and serving as exemplary witnesses of purity.
Theological interpretations of Mary's virginity also vary. Some theologians, like Hippolytus of Rome and Clement of Alexandria, upheld the belief in Mary's perpetual virginity. Clement even asserted that a midwife examined Mary after giving birth and found her to be a virgin. On the other hand, Tertullian denied Mary's virginity in partu, arguing that she was a wife when she gave birth to Jesus.
In conclusion, the topic of virginity in the Gospels, specifically regarding the Virgin Mary, is a complex and multifaceted subject within Christian theology. While some uphold the belief in Mary's perpetual virginity, others present differing interpretations based on various textual and theological arguments. Ultimately, the concept of virginity in the Christian tradition extends beyond physical purity to encompass spiritual and symbolic representations of integrity and purity, shaping Christian beliefs and practices.
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Virgin Mary in Christian art
The Virgin Mary, or the Madonna, is one of the most popular subjects in Western religious art. Since 431 CE, when a council of Christian bishops in Ephesus canonized her as Theotokos, or the God-bearer, her figure has been used to represent a wide range of virtues. The artistic depictions of Mary are often influenced by the various titles attributed to her by the Orthodox and Catholic churches.
The title Theotokos, or "God-bearer", was recognized at the Council of Ephesus in 431 CE, and is indicated by the abbreviation ΜΡ ΘΥ, commonly attached to her image in Byzantine icons. The direct Latin equivalents of the title are Deipara and Dei Genitrix, although it is more often loosely translated as Mater Dei, or "Mother of God". The Orthodox Churches also refer to Mary as Aeiparthenos, or Ever-Virgin, and Panagia, meaning "all-holy".
Catholics, on the other hand, use a wide variety of titles for Mary, which have given rise to many artistic depictions. These include the singular Madonna, who may gesture benediction and prayer on behalf of humanity; the Madonna and Child, which shows humanity's embrace of the holy son; the Madonna Lactans, who breastfeeds the young Jesus to impart wisdom; the Virgin Hodegetria, who points out Christ's divinity to humanity; and the Annunciations, which show Mary being visited by an angel announcing her virgin conception.
The Marriage of the Virgin is another popular subject in Christian art, depicting the wedding ceremony of Mary and Saint Joseph. While the wedding is not mentioned in the canonical Gospels, it is covered in several apocryphal sources, notably the 14th-century Golden Legend. The scene was particularly common in the Middle Ages and has been painted by artists such as Giotto, Perugino, Raphael, and Ventura Salimbeni.
The Cult of the Virgin Mary, which emerged in the Middle Ages, further solidified her importance in Christian art. The hieratic images of the Romanesque period, emphasizing Mary's regal aspect, gave way to more tender representations in the Gothic age, focusing on the relationship between mother and child. The Virgin Mary in Byzantine representations was central to Byzantine spirituality, venerated as the mediator between suffering mankind and Christ and the protectress of Constantinople.
Symbols associated with the Virgin Mary in Christian art include the palm tree, symbolizing the triumph of God's salvation, hope, and justice; the pomegranate, representing fertility and chastity; the lily, symbolizing purity, chastity, or virginity; and the rose, symbolizing sacrifice and the blood shed by Christ.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Virgin Mary was married to Saint Joseph.
Virgin Mary is an important figure in Christianity and is revered across denominations, including Catholicism.
The dogma of Mary's perpetual virginity is not universally shared. Some believe she remained a virgin her entire life and had no other children.
There are several theories about the exact nature of the marriage between Mary and Joseph. One theory suggests that Mary's parents had passed away and she had to leave the Temple as young girls' service was not perpetual. Another theory suggests that Mary's marriage to Joseph was arranged to protect a vow of virginity made by her mother, Saint Anne, before Mary's birth.
Some traditions claim that Mary was 12 or 14 years old when she got married.
