Ethan Walker
The Catholic Church adheres to the doctrine of the perpetual virginity of Mary, believing her to have been a virgin before, during, and after the birth of Jesus. This belief is based on interpretations of scripture, tradition, and the writings of early Christians and Church Fathers. The Second Council of Constantinople in 553 AD gave Mary the title Aeiparthenos or Ever-Virgin, and Pope Martin I later clarified this to mean her virginity before, during, and after Christ's birth. This doctrine is considered a divinely revealed truth by the Catholic Church, and its denial is considered heresy. While some Catholics may question Mary's perpetual virginity, the Church's defense of this doctrine has been consistent and unwavering since its earliest days.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Catholic Church's stance | The Catholic Church adheres to the doctrine of Mary's perpetual virginity. |
| Other Christian denominations | Some Lutherans, Anglicans, Reformed, and other Protestants also adhere to the doctrine. Eastern Orthodox churches recognize Mary as "Aeiparthenos" or "Ever-Virgin". Most modern nonconformist Protestants reject the doctrine. |
| Scriptural evidence | The Protoevangelium of James, written around AD 120, states that Mary remained a life-long virgin. The Gospel of Luke suggests that Mary was surprised at being told she would conceive, implying she was planning to remain a virgin. The Gospel of James also supports the idea of Mary's perpetual virginity. |
| Interpretations | Some argue that Mary's perpetual virginity is important because it allows her spiritual motherhood to extend to all Christians. It is also seen as a symbol of the Church as the virgin bride of Christ. |
| Alternative views | Some Catholics and non-Catholics question Mary's perpetual virginity, citing the biblical references to Jesus' siblings. Most Protestants today deny Mary's perpetual virginity. |
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What You'll Learn
Mary's perpetual virginity is a Catholic dogma
The idea of Mary's perpetual virginity was recognized by the Second Council of Constantinople in 553 AD, which accorded her the title "Aeiparthenos" or "Ever-Virgin." This doctrine is shared by the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church, also known as the Latin Church. The Catholic Church has taken this belief further by making it one of the four Marian dogmas, declaring that denial of Mary's perpetual virginity is heresy.
Support for Mary's perpetual virginity can be found in early Christian texts such as the Protoevangelium of James, which states that Mary was dedicated to serving the Lord in the temple, requiring a vow of perpetual virginity. The Gospel of Luke also hints at this idea when Mary asks the angel Gabriel how she will conceive since she has no husband (Luke 1:34). Additionally, when Jesus entrusts Mary to the beloved disciple, John, at the foot of the cross, it is argued that he would have instead entrusted her to his siblings if he had any.
However, there are also arguments against Mary's perpetual virginity. Some scholars interpret biblical passages as indicating that Jesus had siblings, which would imply that Mary was not a lifelong virgin. For instance, Matthew 12:46 mentions Jesus' "mother and brothers," and Mark 6:3 lists James, Joses, Judas, and Simon as brothers of Jesus. These interpretations are rejected by the Catholic Church, which maintains the doctrine of Mary's perpetual virginity as a divinely revealed truth.
The belief in Mary's perpetual virginity holds significant implications for Catholic theology. Firstly, it affirms the truth of Scripture and the teachings of the Church Fathers. Secondly, it points towards a world without marriage, as Jesus described to the Sadducees (Matt. 22:30), where all will be like Mary, devoted solely to God's will. Lastly, Mary's perpetual virginity symbolizes the Church as the virgin bride of Christ and the spiritual mother of Christians, as expressed by St. Ambrose.
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The Protoevangelium of James
The story of the Protoevangelium of James begins with Mary's parents, Joachim and Anna, who are grieving their childlessness. They pray to God for a child and promise to dedicate the child to serving in the temple if their wish is granted. God hears their prayers and tells them they will have a child. Mary is conceived in Joachim's absence through divine intervention, and she is born. Mary's parents keep her in a sanctuary-bedroom most of the time to ensure she does not come into contact with any unclean thing. When Mary turns three, she is taken to the temple, where she lives until she is twelve. At that time, the priests decide that she should marry as it would not be proper for her to continue living in the temple. Joseph is chosen by lot to be her guardian and to protect her virginity.
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The Second Council of Constantinople
The council was presided over by Eutychius, the Patriarch of Constantinople, along with the other three eastern patriarchs or their representatives. Notably, Pope Vigilius declined to attend, despite residing in Constantinople at the time, and even issued a document prohibiting the council from proceeding without him. However, the council proceeded without the pope and focused on several key issues.
One of the significant outcomes of the council was the condemnation of the "Three Chapters" of Theodore of Mopsuestia, Theodoret, and Ibas. This condemnation was issued despite Pope Vigilius' earlier withdrawal of his "Judgment" condemning these chapters. The council also addressed the issue of Origenism, which was deemed heretical, and the bishops signed canons condemning it before the council formally opened.
The council made a significant theological contribution, particularly in defining Chalcedonian Christology more precisely. It clarified that Christ possesses two natures, human and divine, within one person. Despite the conflict between the pope and the council, the Second Council of Constantinople played a crucial role in shaping Christian doctrine and resolving longstanding disputes within the church.
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The Gospel of Luke
The Catholic Church, as well as some Lutherans, Anglicans, Reformed, and other Protestants, adheres to the doctrine of the perpetual virginity of Mary, which asserts that Mary remained a virgin before, during, and after giving birth to Jesus. This doctrine is one of the four Marian dogmas of the Catholic Church, and the denial of it is considered heresy. The Second Council of Constantinople in 553 recognised Mary as "Aeiparthenos", meaning "ever-virgin", and Pope Martin I at the Lateran Council of 649 emphasised the threefold character of her perpetual virginity.
The Protoevangelium of James, a 2nd-century text, also states that Mary remained a life-long virgin, as Joseph was an old man with no physical desire when he married her. However, there is some debate among theologians about the perpetual virginity of Mary. While some early Christian theologians defended this doctrine, others, such as Origen and the Antidicomarians, denied it. The idea of Mary's perpetual virginity is also contrary to the Islamic ideal of women as wives and mothers.
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The Gospel of James
The author of the Gospel of James claims to be James, the brother of Jesus, by an earlier marriage of Joseph. However, the true identity of the author remains unknown. The gospel states that Mary remained a lifelong virgin because Joseph was an old man who married her without physical desire, and the brothers of Jesus mentioned in the canonical gospels are explained as Joseph's sons from a previous marriage. The Protoevangelium of James seems to have influenced the stories of Mary found in the Quran, although Muslims reject the idea of Mary's perpetual virginity as contrary to the Islamic ideal of women as wives and mothers.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the Catholic Church believes that Mary was a virgin for her entire life. This belief is called the Perpetual Virginity of Mary.
The Perpetual Virginity of Mary is the belief that Mary was a virgin before, during, and after the birth of Jesus.
The Protoevangelium of James, written around AD 120, states that Mary was dedicated before her birth to serve the Lord in the temple, which required perpetual virginity. The Gospel of Luke also supports this belief, as Mary asks the angel Gabriel, "How shall this be, since I have no husband?".
Firstly, it is a question of truth, as the Church has defended the doctrine since its earliest days. Secondly, it has implications for all of us, as Mary's virginity is a prefigurement of heaven, where there will be no more marriage. Thirdly, it is one of her attributes that make her a beautiful symbol of the Church, as the virgin bride of Christ and the spiritual mother of Christians.
