This ecumenical article is about Christian views on and veneration of the Virgin Mary, including Orthodox, Eastern Orthodox Roman Catholic Anglo-Catholic, Anglican and Protestant understandings of Mary and her veneration. A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, a monotheistic Religion centered on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth The Eastern Orthodox Church is the second largest single Christian Communion in the world The terms Anglo-Catholic and Anglo-Catholicism (or sometimes possibly incorrectly High Church &mdashsee below describe people Anglicanism is a tradition of Christian faith Churches in this tradition either have historical connections to the Church of England or have similar beliefs Protestantism refers to the forms of Christian faith and practice that originated in the 16th century Protestant Reformation. For specific views, see Blessed Virgin Mary (Roman Catholic), Mary (mother of Jesus), Anglican Marian theology, Protestant views of Mary and Islamic view of Virgin Mary. This article is about the Roman Catholic understanding of Mary and her veneration; for other views see Mary (mother of Jesus and Islamic view Anglican Marian theology is the summation of the doctrines and beliefs of Anglicanism concerning the Blessed Virgin Mary. Protestant views of Mary include Theological positions of major Protestant representatives such as Martin Luther John Calvin but also some modern representatives For the religious order BVM, see Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, known by their initials BVM, is a Roman Catholic Religious order founded in the United States

The Blessed Virgin Mary, sometimes shortened to The Blessed Virgin or The Virgin Mary, is a traditional title used by most Christians and most specifically used by liturgical Christians such as Roman Catholics, Anglicans, Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholics, and some others to describe Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ. Anglicanism is a tradition of Christian faith Churches in this tradition either have historical connections to the Church of England or have similar beliefs The Eastern Orthodox Church is the second largest single Christian Communion in the world This article refers to Eastern Churches in full communion with the Holy See Jesus of Nazareth (7–2 BC / BCE —26–36 AD / CE)

Since the first century, devotion to the Virgin Mary has been a major element of the spiritual life of a vast number of Christians. From the Council of Ephesus in 431 to Vatican II and Pope John Paul II's Redemptoris Mater encyclical, the Virgin Mary has become to be seen, not only as the Mother of God but also as the Mother of the Church, a Mediatrix who intercedes to Jesus Christ and even a proposed Co-Redemptrix. This article covers the Ecumenical council of 431 For the council of 449 see Second Council of Ephesus. The Second Ecumenical Council of the Vatican, or Vatican II, was the twentieth century Ecumenical Council of the Roman Catholic Church. Pope Redemptoris Mater is the title of a Mariological Encyclical by Pope John Paul II, delivered on March 25 1987 in Saint Peter's Basilica Mediatrix in Roman Catholic Mariology refers to the role of the Blessed Virgin Mary as a mediator in the salvation process Jesus of Nazareth (7–2 BC / BCE —26–36 AD / CE) Co-Redemptrix in Roman Catholic Mariology refers to the role of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the redemption process

The key role of the Virgin Mary in the beliefs of many Christians, her veneration, and the growth of Mariology have not only come about by the Marian writings of the saints or official statements but have often been driven from the ground up, from the masses of believers, and at times via reported Marian apparitions, miracles and healings. Mariology is the theological study of Mary which methodically presents teachings about her to other parts of the faith such as teachings about Jesus Christ, redemption Catholic Mariology is the area of Theology concerned with Mary the Mother of God, not only with her Life, but her Veneration in daily life A Marian apparition is an event in which the Virgin Mary is believed to have Supernaturally appeared to one or more persons regardless of their religious faith

A modern popular Roman Catholic image of the Blessed Virgin Mary, displaying her Immaculate Heart

Veneration of the Virgin Mary

There is a long-standing and widespread Christian tradition of giving special honour and devotion to the Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus. The Immaculate Heart of Mary originally The Sacred Heart of Mary is a devotional name used by Roman Catholics and some Anglo-Catholics to refer

Origins

Early image of the Virgin and Child from the Catacombs of Rome, 4th century. The Catacombs of Rome are ancient Catacombs or underground Burial places under or near Rome, Italy, of which there are at least forty some discovered

The Council of Ephesus in 431 formally sanctioned devotion to the Virgin as Theotokos, Mother of God, (more accurately translated as God bearer) allowing the creation of icons bearing the images of the Virgin and Child. This article covers the Ecumenical council of 431 For the council of 449 see Second Council of Ephesus. Theotokos (Θεοτόκος translit Theotókos) is a title of Mary the mother of Jesus used especially in the Eastern Orthodox, Devotion to Mary was, however, already widespread by this point. The early Church Fathers saw Mary as the "new Eve" who said "yes" to God as Eve had said no. The non-canonical Gospel of James, written around 150, is an example of early devotion to Mary, advocating her perpetual virginity. The Gospel of James, also sometimes known as the Infancy Gospel of James or the Protoevangelium of James, is an apocryphal Gospel probably written about Mary, as the first Christian Saint and Mother of Jesus, was deemed to be a compassionate mediator between suffering mankind and her son, Jesus, who was seen as King and Judge. A saint (from the Latin sanctus) is a human being to whom has been attributed (and who has generally demonstrated a high level of Holiness and Sanctity Biblical support for this position was found in the story of the Marriage at Cana whereat Mary entreated Jesus to turn water into wine (Gospel of John, Chapter 2). The Marriage at Cana or Wedding at Cana is an event reported by the Gospel of John but not by any of the Synoptic Gospels. The Gospel of John (literally According to John; Greek, Κατὰ Ἰωάννην Kata Iōannēn) is the fourth Gospel in the canon Elizabeth's praise of Mary "blessed art thou among women" and "who am I that the mother of my Lord would visit me?" in Luke 2 are also cited, among other passages of Scripture. Elizabeth or Elisabeth is the Greek form Ελισ(σάβετ Elis(savet of the Hebrew Elisheva, meaning "my God is an oath"

Early representations show Mary as the "Throne of Heaven" with Mary and the Child Jesus both crowned as Royalty. She was further identified with the Bride in the Old Testament Song of Solomon, by such noted theologians as St. In Western Christianity, the Old Testament refers to the books that form the first of the two-part Christian Biblical canon. Bernard of Clairvaux. Bernard of Clairvaux, OCist ( 1090 - August 20, 1153) was a French abbot and the primary builder of the reforming Cistercian monastic order She became the prototype for the Church itself. During the Middle Ages, and especially in France, the great Cathedrals were thus named for Mary. This article is about the history and organisation of the cathedral The Marian Rosary was popularized by the followers of St. Dominic. The Rosary (from Latin rosarium, meaning "rose garden" or "garland of roses" is a popular traditional Roman Catholic devotion. Saint Dominic (Domingo also known as Dominic of Osma, often called Dominic de Guzmán and Domingo de Guzmán Garcés (1170 &ndash August 6

Coronation of the Virgin by Fra Angelico

The image of Mary as Queen was softened somewhat by Mary as Mother of the Child Jesus. The Coronation of the Virgin or Coronation of Mary is a subject in Christian art, especially popular in Italy in the 13th to 15th centuries but continuing in popularity Fra Angelico (c 1395 &ndash February 18 1455) born Guido di Pietro, was an Early Italian Renaissance painter referred to in Vasari St. Francis of Assisi popularized the image of the Nativity scene using live animals. For the opera by Olivier Messiaen see Saint-François d'Assise. A nativity scene may be used to describe any depiction of the Nativity of Jesus in art, but in the sense covered here also called a crib or manger in the This representation of the helpless Jesus suckled by his mother brought Christmas into the hearts and homes of the people. And, as journeys to the Holy Land became difficult, Mary's role in the Passion story became part of the popular Stations of the Cross as the Mother of the suffering Jesus. The Holy Land ( Arabic: الأرض المقدسة al-Arḍ ul-Muqaddasah;Ancient Aramaic: ארעא קדישא Ar'a Qaddisha; Hebrew: ארץ_הקודש This article describes the Christian Passion For other meanings see Passion. Stations of the Cross (or Way of the Cross; in Latin, Via Crucis; also called the Via Dolorosa or Way of Sorrows, or simply During the great plagues such as the Black Death, Mary became greatly popular as a compassionate intercessor and protector of mankind against the just judgment of God. The Black Death, or the Black Plague, was one of the deadliest Pandemics in human history widely thought to have been caused by a bacterium named Yersinia

Devotion to the Virgin Mary as the "new Eve" lent much to the status of women during the Middle Ages. Women who had been looked down upon as daughters of Eve (first woman), came to be looked upon as objects of veneration and inspiration. In Genesis, Eve is the first woman the wife of Adam. God created her from Adam's rib as his helpmate The veneration of Mary both as woman and prototype of the Church was greatly responsible for transforming the Germanic Warrior code into the Code of Chivalry. Warrior code is an Ethical code followed by Warriors often those in an Aristocratic society that were Privileged by birth belonging to Nobility Chivalric order Chivalry is a term related to the Medieval institution of Knighthood. This reinterpretation of women flowered in the Courtly Love poetry of Medieval and Renaissance France. Courtly love was a Medieval European conception of ennobling love which found its genesis in the ducal and princely courts of Aquitaine, Provence Mary, as the original "vessel of Christ" may have also influenced the legends of the Holy Grail. According to Christian mythology, the Holy Grail was the dish plate or cup used by Jesus at the Last Supper, said to possess miraculous powers Her selflessness, obedience and virginal humility were reinterpreted in the literary figure of Sir Galahad, finder of the Grail. Sir Galahad is a knight of King Arthur 's Round Table and one of the three achievers of the Holy Grail in Arthurian legend.

Marian prayers and devotions

See main category: Category:Marian Devotions

Rosary beads

The earliest known Marian prayer is the Sub tuum praesidium, or Beneath Thy Protection, dating from late 2nd century. The Rosary (from Latin rosarium, meaning "rose garden" or "garland of roses" is a popular traditional Roman Catholic devotion. Beneath thy compassion ( Greek:; Latin: Sub tuum praesidium) is the oldest extant Hymn to the Theotokos ( Blessed Virgin A papyrus dated to c. 250 containing the prayer in Greek was discovered in Egypt in 1917, and is the earliest known reference to the title Theotokos, confirmed by the Council of Ephesus in 431:

Beneath your compassion, We take refuge, O Mother of God: do not despise our petitions in time of trouble: but rescue us from dangers, only pure, only blessed one. Greek (el ελληνική γλώσσα or simply el ελληνικά — "Hellenic" is an Indo-European language, spoken today by 15-22 million people mainly Theotokos (Θεοτόκος translit Theotókos) is a title of Mary the mother of Jesus used especially in the Eastern Orthodox,

In the twelfth century indications of a regular devotion can be noted in a sermon by Bernard of Clairvaux (De duodecim stellis), from which an extract has been taken by the Roman Catholic Church and used in the Offices of the Compassion and of the Seven Dolours. Bernard of Clairvaux, OCist ( 1090 - August 20, 1153) was a French abbot and the primary builder of the reforming Cistercian monastic order Stronger evidences are discernible in the pious meditations on the Ave Maria and the Salve Regina, usually attributed either to St. Anselm of Lucca (d. The Hail Mary or Ave Maria ( Latin) is a traditional Christian Prayer asking for the Intercession of the Virgin Mary, the For the university see Salve Regina University. The " Salve Regina " is one of four Marian antiphons sung at different Saint Anselm of Lucca the Younger ( Milan, 1036&ndash March 18, 1086) was a prominent figure in the Investiture Controversy and in the fighting 1080) or St. Bernard; and also in the large book "De laudibus B. Bernard of Clairvaux, OCist ( 1090 - August 20, 1153) was a French abbot and the primary builder of the reforming Cistercian monastic order Mariae Virginis" (Douai, 1625) by Richard de Saint-Laurent.

Currently, popular Roman Catholic devotions to the Blessed Virgin Mary include the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Our Lady of Lourdes and Our Lady of Guadalupe. The Immaculate Heart of Mary originally The Sacred Heart of Mary is a devotional name used by Roman Catholics and some Anglo-Catholics to refer The apparitions of Our Lady of Lourdes began on 11 February 1858 when Bernadette Soubirous, a 14-year old peasant girl from Lourdes admitted when questioned Our Lady of Guadalupe, also called the Virgin of Guadalupe (Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe or Virgen de Guadalupe is a 16th century Roman Catholic Mexican

Holy Rosary

Main article: Rosary

A popular Marian devotional is the Holy Rosary, a form of prayer in which an Our Father, ten Hail Marys and a Glory Be to the Father (together forming a "decade of the Rosary") are recited five times while meditating on the mysteries of the life of Jesus and Mary (Joyful, Luminous, Sorrowful and Glorious) to be followed by a prayer called the "Hail Holy Queen" and perhaps the "Litany of Loreto". The Rosary (from Latin rosarium, meaning "rose garden" or "garland of roses" is a popular traditional Roman Catholic devotion. The Rosary (from Latin rosarium, meaning "rose garden" or "garland of roses" is a popular traditional Roman Catholic devotion. Prayer is the act of attempting to communicate with a Deity or spirit The Lord's Prayer, also known as the Our Father or Pater noster, is probably the best-known Prayer in Christianity. The Hail Mary or Ave Maria ( Latin) is a traditional Christian Prayer asking for the Intercession of the Virgin Mary, the Glory Be to the Father, also known as Gloria Patri, is a Doxology, a short Hymn of praise to God in various Christian liturgies For the university see Salve Regina University. The " Salve Regina " is one of four Marian antiphons sung at different The Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a Marian litany originally approved in 1587 by Pope Sixtus V. The rosary as a "devotional path" to the Virgin Mary has been a source of inspiration for a number of Roman Catholic figures. For instance, in his encyclical Rosarium Virginis Mariae Pope John Paul II discusses the inspiration of the rosary and how his motto "Totus Tuus" was inspired by the writings of Saint Louis de Montfort^[1]. Rosarium Virginis Mariae is the title of an Apostolic Letter by Pope John Paul II, issued on October 16 2002 Pope Totus Tuus was Pope John Paul II 's Apostolic Motto. It means "totally yours" and expressed his strong Marian devotion St Louis-Marie Grignion de Montfort, was a French Priest and Catholic Saint, born on 31 January, 1673 in the small

It should, however, be noted that rosary beads are not always used for purely Marian prayers, and other Rosary based prayers (e. Rosary based prayers are Roman Catholic prayers said on a set of rosary beads. g. Rosary of the Holy Wounds directed to Jesus Christ) also exist in the Roman Catholic tradition. The Rosary of the Holy Wounds (also called the Chaplet of Holy Wounds) is a specific form of Roman Catholic prayer said on the usual rosary beads ^[2]

Reparations to the Blessed Virgin

Murillo's Dolorosa, 1665. This article is about the painter Bartolomé Esteban Murillo There is also an article on the Canadian village Murillo Ontario, which was named after the artist due to

Roman Catholic tradition includes specific prayers and devotions as Acts of Reparation to the Virgin Mary for insults that she suffers. Roman Catholic tradition and Mariology include specific prayers and devotions as Acts of reparation for insults and blasphemies against the Blessed Virgin Mary The Raccolta Catholic prayer book (approved by a Decree of 1854, and published by the Holy See in 1898) includes a number of such prayers. The Raccolta is a book of Roman Catholic prayers for which specific indulgences have been pledged by Popes It contains a number of prayers and novenas The Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Bishop of Rome, commonly known as the Pope, and is the preeminent Episcopal see of the Roman Catholic ^[3][4][5]

These prayers do not involve a petition for a living or deceased beneficiary, but aim to repair the sins of others against the Virgin Mary. In the Roman Catholic tradition an Act of Reparation is a prayer or devotion with the intent to repair the " sins of others " e

Other prayers

Other famous Marian prayers include the "Magnificat," the Angelus and the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Magnificat (also known as the Song of Mary) is a Canticle frequently sung (or spoken liturgically in Christian church services The Angelus ( Latin for Angel) is a Christian devotion in memory of the Incarnation. The Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a Marian litany originally approved in 1587 by Pope Sixtus V. Marian hymns include O Mary, we Crown Thee With Blossoms Today, Hail Queen of Heaven, the Regina Coeli, and the Ave Maria. Hymns to Mary/Marian Hymns are Christian Devotional songs focused on Mary the Mother of Jesus. "Hail Queen of Heaven the Ocean star" is a hymn written by Father John Lingard, a Catholic priest and historian who through the works of William Cobbett Queen of Heaven is a title given to the Blessed Virgin Mary by Christians, mainly Catholics and Orthodox, to whom the title is a consequence May and October are traditionally seen within Roman Catholicism as Marian months.

The Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a weekly cycle of prayers said throughout the day, based on the Liturgy of the Hours, and consists of hymns, psalms, scripture, and patristic readings. The Little Office of Our Lady, or Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary, or Hours of the Virgin is a liturgical devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, This article refers to the Liturgy of the Hours as a specific manifestation of public prayer in the Roman Catholic Church. A hymn is a type of Song, usually religious specifically written for the purpose of praise adoration or Prayer, and typically addressed to a deity/deities Psalms ( Hebrew: Tehilim, תהילים, or "praises" is a book of the Hebrew Bible (the Christian Old Testament) included Etymology According to the Online Etymology Dictionary, the word bible is from Latin biblia, traced from the same word through Medieval Latin and Late Latin Patristics or Patrology is the study of early Christian writers known as the Church Fathers.

Marian apparitions

Main article: Marian apparitions

The central role of Mary in the belief and practice of Catholicism is reflected in the fact that many Roman Catholic churches contain side altars dedicated to the Virgin Mary. A Marian apparition is an event in which the Virgin Mary is believed to have Supernaturally appeared to one or more persons regardless of their religious faith An altar is any structure upon which Sacrifices or other offerings are made for religious purposes or some other sacred place where ceremonies take place She is also celebrated through major religious sites where it is claimed apparitions or appearances of the Virgin have occurred, often with claims by witnesses that messages to humanity were delivered. A Marian apparition is an event in which the Virgin Mary is believed to have Supernaturally appeared to one or more persons regardless of their religious faith

The term Marian apparition is usually used in cases where visions of just the Virgin Mary herself are claimed. A Marian apparition is an event in which the Virgin Mary is believed to have Supernaturally appeared to one or more persons regardless of their religious faith There are, however, cases (e. g. Saint Padre Pio or Sister Maria Pierina De Micheli) where visions of Jesus and Mary and conversations with both are reported. Pio of Pietrelcina ( 25 May, 1887 – 23 September 1968) was a Capuchin Priest from Italy who is venerated as Sister Maria Pierina De Micheli (1900 - †1945 was a Roman Catholic nun who was born near Milan Italy. Since the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ in Calvary until today a number of people have claimed to have had visions (and indeed personal conversations with Him and ^[6][7]

Marian Art

The Virgin Mary has been one of the major subjects of Christian Art, Catholic Art and Western Art since the third century. Christian art is Art produced in an attempt to illustrate supplement and portray in tangible form the principles of Christianity. Roman Catholic art consists of all visual works produced in an attempt to illustrate supplement and portray in tangible form the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. Literally hundreds of thousands of artworks have been produced, from masters such as Michaelangelo and Botticelli to humble peasant artists. Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni Two biographies were published of him during his lifetime One of them by Giorgio Vasari, proposed that he was the pinnacle of all

Michelangelo's Pietà

Some of the leading Marian subjects include:

Marian Church Music

The Virgin Mary is highlighted in Catholic Church music though the ages. This article is about the earliest and best-known Pietà by Michelangelo In Christianity the Annunciation ( grc Ευαγγελισμός της Θεοτόκου, Evangelismós tēs Theotókou in Greek) is the revelation The Adoration of the Magi is the name traditionally given to the Christian subject in the Nativity of Jesus in art in which the three Magi, represented as kings The Adoration of the shepherds, in Christian iconography is a scene in which Shepherds are near witnesses to the birth of Jesus, at his birthplace typically depicted The Coronation of the Virgin or Coronation of Mary is a subject in Christian art, especially popular in Italy in the 13th to 15th centuries but continuing in popularity The Nativity of Jesus has been a major subject of Christian art since the 4th century The Holy Family consists of the Child Jesus, the Virgin Mary and St Images of the Madonna and Madonna and Child are one of the central Icons of Christianity, representing the Madonna or Mary mother of Jesus The Nativity of Jesus has been a major subject of Christian art since the 4th century The Pietà (pl same Italian for pity) is a subject in Christian art depicting The Virgin Mary cradling the dead body of Jesus, most The ancient Latin Gregorian Chant masses include two Marian masses In solemnitatibus et Festis Beatae Mariae Virginis and in Festis et Memoriis ^[8] One of the earliest Marian compositions outside he Gregorian chant is the popular Salve Regina in Latin from a Benedictine monk, which exists in serveral Gregorian versions. Latin ( lingua Latīna, laˈtiːna is an Italic language, historically spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. History Gregorian chant was organized codified and notated mainly in the Frankish lands of western and central Europe during the 12th and 13th centuries with later additions In mathematics Two has many properties in Mathematics. An Integer is called Even if it is divisible by 2 For the university see Salve Regina University. The " Salve Regina " is one of four Marian antiphons sung at different Latin ( lingua Latīna, laˈtiːna is an Italic language, historically spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. Other Marian supplications exist in numerous Latin versions as well ^[9] The List of compositions by Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina includes numerous Marian masses:

• Missa Salve Regina
• Missa Alma Redemptoris
• Missa Assumpta est Maria
• Missa Regina coeli
• Missa de beata Virgine
• Missa Ave Regina coelorum
• Missa Descendit Angelus Domini
• Missa O Virgo simul et Mater

Vivaldi, Monteverdi, Mozart, Haydn and others are well known composers who contributed to Marian music. This is a list of compositions by Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, sorted by genre Less known is the fact, that before 1802, the secularisation, many religious congregations had their own composers. Secularization or secularisation generally refers to the process of transformation by which a Society migrates from close identification with religious institutions ^[10] A totally unknown Father Valentin Rathgeber OSB, (1682-1750) wrote 43 masses, 164 offertories 24 concerts and, 44 Marian antiphones. Missa de Beata Virgine and the Messe de Nostre Dameare examples of individual contributions. Messe de Nostre Dame (Mass of Our Lady is a polyphonic mass composed before 1365 by the French Poet, Composer and Monteverdi's Vespro della Beata Vergine has remained structurally unchanged for the past 1500 years. Vespro della Beata Vergine 1610 ( SV 206 and 206a Vespers for the Blessed Virgin 1610 or simply the Vespers of 1610, as it is commonly called Joseph Haydn wrote several Marian compositions including two famous Marian Masses: ^[11] Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart composed in honour of the Virgin Mary Latin masses and several shorter opera: ^[12] Other known classic composers with Marian compositions mainly in Latin include Orlando di Lasso and Franz Schubert. Composition can refer to Composition (logical fallacy, a fallacy of ambiguation in which one assumes that a whole has a property solely because its various parts Latin ( lingua Latīna, laˈtiːna is an Italic language, historically spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. Orlande de Lassus (also Orlandus Lassus, Orlando di Lasso, Roland de Lassus, or Roland Delattre) (1532 (possibly 1530 &ndash June

Marian titles

See main article: Titles of Mary

Late Byzantine icon of the Cretan school adopted into Roman Catholicism as Our Lady of Perpetual Help

The Virgin Mary is known by many titles. Mary is known by many titles ( Blessed Mother, Virgin Madonna Our Lady epithets ( Star of the Sea, Queen of Heaven, Cause An icon (from Greek εἰκών eikōn, "image" is a religious work of art most commonly a painting from Eastern Christianity. The term Cretan School describes an important school of Icon painting also known as Post-Byzantine art, which flourished while Crete was under Venetian Our Mother of Perpetual Help (or of Succour) or Our Lady of Perpetual Help is a title given to the Blessed Virgin Mary, associated with a Byzantine Some of these titles are dogmatic in nature, referring to Marian beliefs that the Church views as necessary for salvation. Dogma (the plural is either dogmata or dogmas, Greek, plural) is the established Belief or Mariology is the theological study of Mary which methodically presents teachings about her to other parts of the faith such as teachings about Jesus Christ, redemption Many other titles are poetic or allegorical and have lesser or no canonical status, but which form part of popular piety, with varying degrees of acceptance by the clergy. Popular piety (or popular religion, personal piety) refers to religious practices that arose and occur outside of the official Church Yet more titles refer to depictions of the Virgin Mary in the history of art. The history of art usually refers to the History of the Visual arts, such as Painting, Sculpture and Architecture.

Among the most prominent Marian titles in the Roman Catholic Calendar are:

• Mary, Mother of God
• Mary, the Immaculate Conception
• Mary, Queen of Heaven
• Queen of the Angels
• Queen of Peace
• Star of the Sea (Stella Maris)
• Mother of All Sorrows

Among the most prominent Marian titles in the Eastern Orthodox and Greek-Catholic liturgical calendars are:

• Panagia Myrtidiotissa
• Panagia Evangelistria (Our Lady of the good Tidings)
• Aeiparthenos Maria (forever virgin Mary)
• Hyperagia Theotokos (most Holy Mother of God)
• Axion Esti (it is worthy to bless Thee, the Virgin)
• Panagia Despoina (Our Lady and Queen)

Marian feasts

Main article: Marian feast days

During the month of May, May devotions to the Blessed Virgin Mary take place in many Catholic regions. For dogmatic context see Roman Catholic Mariology. For artistic depictions see Roman Catholic Marian art. Queen of Heaven is a title given to the Blessed Virgin Mary by Christians, mainly Catholics and Orthodox, to whom the title is a consequence Our Lady of Peace or Queen of Peace is a title of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Roman Catholic Church. Our Lady Star of the Sea is an ancient title for the Blessed Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus Christ. The Eastern Orthodox Church is the second largest single Christian Communion in the world This article refers to Eastern Churches in full communion with the Holy See Marian feast days are specific days of the year declared by the Catholic Church as being significant Marian days for the celebration of events in the life of MAY ( also known as: Mei メイ 메이 is a Korean singer well known in South Korea for singing the song "Miracle" May Devotions to the Blessed Virgin Mary refers to special Devotions held in the Catholic Church during the month of May honouring the There is no firm structure as to the content of a May devotion. It includes usually the singing of Marian anthems, readings from scriptures, a sermon, and or presentation by local choirs. A sermon is an oration by a Prophet or member of the Clergy. Sermons address a Biblical, theological, or religious topic The whole rosary is prayed separately and is usually not a part of a Marian devotion, although Hail Mary's are included. The Rosary (from Latin rosarium, meaning "rose garden" or "garland of roses" is a popular traditional Roman Catholic devotion. The Hail Mary or Ave Maria ( Latin) is a traditional Christian Prayer asking for the Intercession of the Virgin Mary, the ^[13]

Traditionally, the month of October is "rosary month" in the Catholic Church,when the faithful are encouraged to pray the rosary if possible. October events and holidays Children's Book Week ( England) - First Week of October National Day ( China People's Republic The Rosary (from Latin rosarium, meaning "rose garden" or "garland of roses" is a popular traditional Roman Catholic devotion. Since 1571, Mary, Queen of the Holy Rosary, is venerated on October 7. ^[14] Pope Benedict XVI, following all his predecessors, also encourages the rosary during the month of October:

Annunciation by Caravaggio

Among the most prominent Marian feast days in the ordinary Roman Catholic Calendar are^[15]:

• January 1 Mary, Mother of God
• February 11 Our Lady of Lourdes
• March 25 Annunciation
• May 1 Queen of Heaven
• May 13 Our Lady of Fatima
• May 24 Mary Help of Christians patron of Australia
• May 31 Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
• August 15 Assumption into Heaven
• August 22 Queenship of Mary
• September 8 Nativity (birth) of the Blessed Virgin Mary
• October 7 Feast of the Most Holy Rosary
• December 8 Feast of the Immaculate Conception
• December 12 Our Lady of Guadalupe

Among the most prominent Marian feast days in the Eastern Orthodox and Greek-Catholic liturgical calendars are:

• March 25 Annunciation of the Theotokos
• August 15 Dormition of the Theotokos
• September 8 Nativity of the Theotokos
• November 21 Entry of the Theotokos into the Temple
• December 26 Synaxis of the Theotokos

Roman Catholic Views of Mary

Dogmas and titles

Main articles: Mariology, Marian doctrines of the Catholic Church, and Christian views of Mary

Some theological background is helpful for an understanding of the Virgin Mary in Catholicism. Pope Benedict XVI ( Latin: Benedictus PP XVI; Italian: Benedetto XVI; German: Benedikt XVI; born Joseph Alois Ratzinger In Christianity the Annunciation ( grc Ευαγγελισμός της Θεοτόκου, Evangelismós tēs Theotókou in Greek) is the revelation Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, usually just known as Caravaggio, (28 September 1571 – 18 July 1610 was an Italian Artist active in Rome New Year See also New Year The Ancient Romans began their consular year on January 1st since 153 BC Theotokos (Θεοτόκος translit Theotókos) is a title of Mary the mother of Jesus used especially in the Eastern Orthodox, Events 660 BC - Traditional founding date of Japan by Emperor Jimmu. The apparitions of Our Lady of Lourdes began on 11 February 1858 when Bernadette Soubirous, a 14-year old peasant girl from Lourdes admitted when questioned Events 1199 - Richard I is wounded by a crossbow bolt while fighting France which leads to his death on April 6. In Christianity the Annunciation ( grc Ευαγγελισμός της Θεοτόκου, Evangelismós tēs Theotókou in Greek) is the revelation Events 305 - Diocletian and Maximian retire from the office of Roman Emperor. May crowning is a traditional Roman Catholic Ritual that occurs in the month of May of every year Events 1497 - Pope Alexander VI excommunicates Girolamo Savonarola. Our Lady of Fátima (ˈfatimɐ is the title given to the Blessed Virgin Mary by those who believe that she appeared to three shepherd children at Fátima Events 1218 - The Fifth Crusade leaves Acre for Egypt. 1276 - Magnus Ladulås is crowned Mary Help of Christians is a Roman Catholic Marian feast day celebrated in May 24 of every year For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. Events 1279 BC - Rameses II (The Great (19th dynasty becomes pharaoh of Ancient Egypt. Events 778 - The Battle of Roncevaux Pass, at which Roland is killed This article is about the theological concept For the works of art with this title see Assumption of the Virgin Mary in Art and Roman Catholic Marian art. Events 392 - Arbogast has Eugenius elected Western Roman Emperor. See also Queen of Heaven The Queenship of Mary is a Marian feast day in the Liturgical calendar of the Roman Catholic Church, created by Pope Events 70 - Roman forces under Titus sack Jerusalem. 1264 - The Statute of Kalisz Events 3761 BC - The epoch (origin of the modern Hebrew calendar ( Proleptic Julian calendar) Our Lady of the Rosary (also Our Lady of the Holy Rosary or Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary) is a title of the Blessed Virgin Mary in relation to the method Events 1609 - Biblioteca Ambrosiana opens its reading room the second public library of Europe. For dogmatic context see Roman Catholic Mariology. For artistic depictions see Roman Catholic Marian art. Events 627 - Battle of Nineveh: A Byzantine army under Emperor Heraclius defeats Emperor Khosrau II 's Persian Our Lady of Guadalupe, also called the Virgin of Guadalupe (Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe or Virgen de Guadalupe is a 16th century Roman Catholic Mexican The Eastern Orthodox Church is the second largest single Christian Communion in the world This article refers to Eastern Churches in full communion with the Holy See Events 1199 - Richard I is wounded by a crossbow bolt while fighting France which leads to his death on April 6. In Christianity the Annunciation ( grc Ευαγγελισμός της Θεοτόκου, Evangelismós tēs Theotókou in Greek) is the revelation Theotokos (Θεοτόκος translit Theotókos) is a title of Mary the mother of Jesus used especially in the Eastern Orthodox, Events 778 - The Battle of Roncevaux Pass, at which Roland is killed The Dormition of the Theotokos ( Greek: Koimesis) is a Great Feast of the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox and Theotokos (Θεοτόκος translit Theotókos) is a title of Mary the mother of Jesus used especially in the Eastern Orthodox, Events 70 - Roman forces under Titus sack Jerusalem. 1264 - The Statute of Kalisz Theotokos (Θεοτόκος translit Theotókos) is a title of Mary the mother of Jesus used especially in the Eastern Orthodox, Events 164 BC - Judas Maccabaeus, son of Mattathias of the Hasmonean family restores the Temple in Jerusalem. Theotokos (Θεοτόκος translit Theotókos) is a title of Mary the mother of Jesus used especially in the Eastern Orthodox, Events 1481 - Battle of Westbrook - Holland defeats troops of Utrecht. For the Moth Genus, see Synaxis (moth. (at this point April 2008 this redirects to a nonexistant article Theotokos (Θεοτόκος translit Theotókos) is a title of Mary the mother of Jesus used especially in the Eastern Orthodox, Mariology is the theological study of Mary which methodically presents teachings about her to other parts of the faith such as teachings about Jesus Christ, redemption See also Mariology (Roman Catholic, Blessed Virgin Mary, Blessed Virgin Mary (Roman Catholic The Marian doctrines of the Catholic Church have their Ecumenical meetings and documents on Mary is a review of the status of Mariology in Orthodox, Protestant, Anglican, and Roman Catholic The principal Marian doctrines that have been dogmatically defined by the Roman Catholic Church are summarized below. Fuller details are to be found in the main articles.

Mother of God

Version of the Theotokos of St. Theodore icon, Russian, 1703

Maria is truly the Mother of God (De Fide). Fyodorovskaya Theotokos (Russian Федоровская Богоматерь) also known as Our Lady of St An icon (from Greek εἰκών eikōn, "image" is a religious work of art most commonly a painting from Eastern Christianity. The dogma that declared Mary as the Mother of God or Theotokos is the central dogma within Mariology. Theotokos (Θεοτόκος translit Theotókos) is a title of Mary the mother of Jesus used especially in the Eastern Orthodox, Mariology is the theological study of Mary which methodically presents teachings about her to other parts of the faith such as teachings about Jesus Christ, redemption ^[16] The Council of Ephesus declared:

Therefore we confess one Christ, one Son, one Lord. According to this understanding of the unconfused union, we confess the holy virgin to be the mother of God because God the Word took flesh and became man and from his very conception united to himself the temple he took from her.

This is the oldest of all dogmas concerning the Blessed Virgin. It is not only essential in Marian Theology but also in the Theology of Christ. For if Mary was not Mother of God, then Jesus was in fact not God. ^[17]

Perpetual Virginity

Mary was a Virgin before, during and after the birth of Christ (De Fide) This was taught by several writers including Ambrose of Milan, Augustine, and the the Lateran Synod in the year 649 under Pope Martin I. Birth is the act or process of bearing or bringing forth Offspring. Christ is the English term for the Greek ( Khristós) meaning "the anointed " Saint Ambrose (c 338 &ndash 4 April 397) was a bishop of Milan who became one of the most influential ecclesiastical figures of the fourth century Events By Place Europe Reccaswinth succeeds his father Chindaswinth as king of the Visigoths. "Martin I" redirects here For the Aragonese king see Martin I of Aragon. The Catholic Church interprets virginity as including mental virginity (virginitas mentis), sensual virginity (virginitas sensus), that is freedom from sexual desires and corporal virginity (virginitas corporis). The dogma of the Perpetual Virginity of Mary defines the latter. Dogma (the plural is either dogmata or dogmas, Greek, plural) is the established Belief or The Perpetual Virginity of Mary, a dogma of the Roman Catholic Church and also of the Eastern Orthodox Church and Oriental Orthodoxy, which Mary was always a virgin, even after giving birth to Christ-in fact, Christ's birth sanctified his mother's virginity. Christ is the English term for the Greek ( Khristós) meaning "the anointed " ^[18][19]

The Immaculate Conception

the Immaculate Conception by Murillo

Mary was conceived without original sin (De Fide). For dogmatic context see Roman Catholic Mariology. For artistic depictions see Roman Catholic Marian art. The Roman Catholic dogma concerning the Immaculate Conception of Mary teaches that Mary -- unique among all human beings in history -- was born without Original Sin, and never sinned throughout her life. Dogma (the plural is either dogmata or dogmas, Greek, plural) is the established Belief or For dogmatic context see Roman Catholic Mariology. For artistic depictions see Roman Catholic Marian art. Original sin is according to a doctrine in Catholic theology, humanity's state of Sin resulting from the Fall of Man. Although the sinlessness of Mary had been held by the church since the earliest times, the means by which this came about had long been a matter of dispute. The belief that Mary must have been freed of Original sin at the very moment of conception gained acceptance in the 13th century. The doctrine was finally made binding by Pope Pius IX on December 8, 1854. Blessed Pope Pius IX (May 13 1792 &ndash February 7 1878 born Giovanni Maria Mastai-Ferretti, was Pope from June 16 1846 until 1878 The official Papal Bull entitled Ineffabilis Deus states:

• We declare, pronounce, and define that the doctrine which holds that the most Blessed Virgin Mary, in the first instance of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege granted by Almighty God, in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the human race, was preserved free from all stain of original sin, is a doctrine revealed by God and therefore to be believed firmly and constantly by all the faithful

This doctrine should not be confused with the miraculous conception of Jesus. A Papal bull is a particular type of Letters patent or charter issued by a Pope. Ineffabilis Deus ( Latin for "Ineffable God" is the name of an Papal Bull by Pope Pius IX. The "Immaculate Conception" refers to Mary's own conception and birth -- not to the famous miracle by which Jesus was conceived within her. Mary still needed a savior, since without Christ she would not have been preserved from original sin.

^[20]

The Assumption of Mary

Mary was assumed with body and soul into heaven. (De Fide) The Assumption of Mary -- meaning that, at the end of her earthly life, Mary was taken directly into Heaven -- has been held by both the Roman Catholic and the Eastern Orthodox Churches since at least the 6th century. This article is about the theological concept For the works of art with this title see Assumption of the Virgin Mary in Art and Roman Catholic Marian art. However, it was not until 1950 that it was officially pronounced a dogma by Pope Pius XII in his Papal Bull Munificentissimus Deus. Pope A Papal bull is a particular type of Letters patent or charter issued by a Pope. Munificentissimus Deus ( Latin for "The most bountiful God " is the name of an Apostolic constitution written by Pope Pius XII The Pope defined the dogma in these words:

We pronounce, declare, and define it to be a divinely revealed dogma: that the Immaculate Mother of God, the ever Virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory.

While Pope Pius XII deliberately left open the question of whether Mary died before her Assumption, the more common teaching of the early Fathers is that she did. Pope ^[21][22]

Mother of the Church

The title, Mother of the Church, which is not a dogma in the narrow sense, was a theme of the writings of Augustine of Hippo. It was proclaimed by Pope Paul VI at the Second Vatican Council in 1964. Pope The Second Ecumenical Council of the Vatican, or Vatican II, was the twentieth century Ecumenical Council of the Roman Catholic Church. The title, Mother of the Church is a parallel to a more ancient title, Mary, Mother of all Christians which is based on a traditional Catholic interpretation of John 19:25-27:

Jesus' mother stood near his cross. . . Jesus saw his mother. He also saw the follower that he loved very much standing there. He said to his mother, "Dear woman, here is your son. " Then Jesus said to the follower, "Here is your mother. "

The traditional Catholic interpretation is that the "beloved disciple" is a type for all Christians who are beloved disciples. Thus, Jesus gives all Christians his mother as their own. As Mother of all Christians, Mary is Mother of the Church. An alternative interpretation is that Jesus was referring only to the Apostle John, asking John to fulfill a son's duty.

In his encyclical Redemptoris Mater, on March 25, 1987, Pope John Paul II said:

Mary embraces each and every one in the Church, and embraces each and every one through the Church. Redemptoris Mater is the title of a Mariological Encyclical by Pope John Paul II, delivered on March 25 1987 in Saint Peter's Basilica Pope In this sense Mary, Mother of the Church, is also the Church's model.

The title Mother of the Church was again affirmed by him at a general audience on September 17, 1997. ^[23]

Marian shrines

Main article: Marian shrines

Our Lady of Lourdes
Modern popular image of the Lourdes Apparition. In the culture and practice of some Christian Churches - mainly but not solely the Roman Catholic Church - a Shrine to the Virgin Mary (or Marian shrine Lourdes ( Occitan: Lorda) is a town and commune situated in the southwest of the Hautes-Pyrénées department, lying in the first Pyrenean

In the culture and practice the Roman Catholic Church - a shrine to the Virgin Mary or Marian shrine is a shrine marking an apparition or other miracle ascribed to the Blessed Virgin Mary, or a site on which is centered a historically strong Marian devotion. A shrine, from the Latin scrinium (‘box’ also used as a desk like the French bureau) was originally a container usually made of precious materials used A Marian apparition is an event in which the Virgin Mary is believed to have Supernaturally appeared to one or more persons regardless of their religious faith A miracle is an event believed to be caused by interposition of Divine intervention by a Supernatural being in the Universe by which the ordinary operation

Some of the largest shrines are due to reported Marian apparitions to young and simple people on remote hilltops that had hardly been heard of prior to the reported apparition. A Marian apparition is an event in which the Virgin Mary is believed to have Supernaturally appeared to one or more persons regardless of their religious faith The case of Saint Juan Diego's reported vision of Our Lady of Guadalupe in 1531 is similar to the case of Saint Bernadette Soubirous's vision in 1858 of Our Lady of Lourdes. Saint Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin (1474 – May 30, 1548) was an Indigenous Mexican who reported an apparition of the Virgin Our Lady of Guadalupe, also called the Virgin of Guadalupe (Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe or Virgen de Guadalupe is a 16th century Roman Catholic Mexican Saint Bernadette (born Marie-Bernarde Soubirous January 7 1844 – April 16 1879) was a miller's daughter from the town of The apparitions of Our Lady of Lourdes began on 11 February 1858 when Bernadette Soubirous, a 14-year old peasant girl from Lourdes admitted when questioned Both saints reported a miraculous Lady on a hilltop who asked them to request that the local priests build a chapel at the site of the vision. Both visions included a reference to roses and led to large churches being built at the sites. Like Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico, Our Lady of Lourdes is a major Catholic symbol in France. Our Lady of Guadalupe, also called the Virgin of Guadalupe (Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe or Virgen de Guadalupe is a 16th century Roman Catholic Mexican The apparitions of Our Lady of Lourdes began on 11 February 1858 when Bernadette Soubirous, a 14-year old peasant girl from Lourdes admitted when questioned Both young people were eventually declared as saints.

Major Marian shrines

Main article: Marian shrines

A large number of shrines to the Blessed Virgin exist on all continents, and they draw a large number of pilgrims every year. In the culture and practice of some Christian Churches - mainly but not solely the Roman Catholic Church - a Shrine to the Virgin Mary (or Marian shrine Major shrines considered most significant for their apparitions and miracles include:

• The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes in Lourdes, France
• The Basilica of Guadalupe in Mexico City, Mexico
• Our Lady of Fatima in Fatima, Portugal
• Loreto, Italy
• Black Madonna of Częstochowa in Częstochowa, Poland
• The Basilica of Our Lady, Queen of Ireland in Knock, Ireland

Other reported apparition sites include Međugorje, which is not considered a shrine by the Holy See, yet receives a large number of pilgrims every year. The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes or the Domain (as it is most commonly known is an area of ground surrounding the shrine ( Grotto) to Our Lady of Lourdes Lourdes ( Occitan: Lorda) is a town and commune situated in the southwest of the Hautes-Pyrénées department, lying in the first Pyrenean This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. Our Lady of Guadalupe, also called the Virgin of Guadalupe (Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe or Virgen de Guadalupe is a 16th century Roman Catholic Mexican Mexico City (in Spanish: Ciudad de México, México DF, México or simply Méjico) is the Capital city of Mexico The United Mexican States ( or commonly Mexico (ˈmɛksɪkoʊ () is a federal constitutional Republic in North America. Our Lady of Fátima (ˈfatimɐ is the title given to the Blessed Virgin Mary by those who believe that she appeared to three shepherd children at Fátima Fátima ( ˈfatimɐ is a city in Portugal famous for the religious visions that took place there in 1917 Portugal, officially the Portuguese Republic (República Portuguesa is a country on the Iberian Peninsula. The Shrine of the Holy House ( Santuario della Santa Casa) is a Catholic place of Pilgrimage in Loreto, Italy. Italy (Italia officially the Italian Republic, (Repubblica Italiana is located on the Italian Peninsula in Southern Europe, and on the two largest The Black Madonna of Częstochowa ( Czarna Madonna or Matka Boska Częstochowska in Polish, Imago thaumaturga Beatae Virginis Mariae Immaculatae Częstochowa is a city in south Poland on the Warta River with 248894 inhabitants (2004 Poland (Polska officially the Republic of Poland Knock Shrine is a major pilgrimage site in the village of Knock in County Mayo, Ireland, where Catholics believe that in 1879 there was an Knock (An Cnoc meaning The Hill – but now more generally known in Irish as Cnoc Mhuire, "Hill of (the Virgin Mary" is a small town in Ireland (pronounced /ˈaɾlənd/ Éire) is the third largest island in Europe, and the twentieth-largest island in the world Međugorje ( roughly ''meh’-joo-gor-yeh'') is a town located in western Herzegovina in Bosnia and Herzegovina, around 25 km southwest of Mostar The Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Bishop of Rome, commonly known as the Pope, and is the preeminent Episcopal see of the Roman Catholic The number of pilgrims who visit some of the approved shrines every year can be significant. E. g. Lourdes with a population of around 15,000 people, receives about 5,000,000 pilgrims every year and within France only Paris has more hotel rooms than Lourdes. Lourdes ( Occitan: Lorda) is a town and commune situated in the southwest of the Hautes-Pyrénées department, lying in the first Pyrenean Paris (ˈpærɨs in English; in French) is the Capital of France and the country's largest city

House of the Virgin Mary

Main article: House of the Virgin Mary

The visions of Jesus and Mary reported by Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich, and written by Klemens Brentano in 1852, led a French priest Abbé Julien Gouyet to discover a house near Ephesus in Turkey in 1881. The House of the Virgin Mary ( Turkish: Meryemana or Meryem Ana Evi, "Mother Mary's House" is a Christian Since the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ in Calvary until today a number of people have claimed to have had visions (and indeed personal conversations with Him and Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich (Anna Katharina Emmerick September 8, 1774 - February 9, 1824) was a Roman Catholic Clemens Brentano, or Klemens Brentano ( September 9, 1778 &ndash July 28, 1842) was a German Poet and Ephesus ( Hittite Apasa; Ancient Greek; Turkish Efes) was a city of ancient Anatolia. Turkey (Türkiye known officially as the Republic of Turkey ( is a Eurasian Country that stretches This house is assumed by some Catholics and some Muslims to be the House of the Virgin Mary. The House of the Virgin Mary ( Turkish: Meryemana or Meryem Ana Evi, "Mother Mary's House" is a Christian The Holy See has taken no official position on the authenticity of the discovery yet, but in 1896 Pope Leo XIII visited it and in 1951 Pope Pius XII initially declared the house a Holy Place. The Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Bishop of Rome, commonly known as the Pope, and is the preeminent Episcopal see of the Roman Catholic Pope Leo XIII ( March 2, 1810 – July 20, 1903) born Count Vincenzo Gioacchino Raffaele Luigi Pecci, was the 256th Pope Pope Pope John XXIII later made the declaration permanent. Pope John (numberingBlessed Pope Paul VI in 1967, Pope John Paul II in 1979 and Pope Benedict XVI in 2006 visited the house and treated it as a shrine. Pope Pope Pope Benedict XVI ( Latin: Benedictus PP XVI; Italian: Benedetto XVI; German: Benedikt XVI; born Joseph Alois Ratzinger

Orthodox views of Mary

The Theotokos of Vladimir, one of the most venerated of Orthodox Christian icons of the Virgin Mary. The Theotokos of Vladimir,( Greek Θεοτόκος του Βλαντιμίρ also known as Our Lady of Vladimir, the Virgin of Vladimir or Vladimirskaya

Main article: Theotokos

A great many traditions revolve around the Ever-Virgin Mary, the Theotokos, in Orthodoxy. Theotokos (Θεοτόκος translit Theotókos) is a title of Mary the mother of Jesus used especially in the Eastern Orthodox, Theotokos (Θεοτόκος translit Theotókos) is a title of Mary the mother of Jesus used especially in the Eastern Orthodox, It is believed by Orthodox Christians that she was and remained a Virgin before and after Christ's birth. Many of the Church's beliefs concerning the Virgin Mary are reflected in the apocryphal text "The Nativity of Mary", which was not included in scripture, but is considered by Orthodox faithful to be accurate in its description of events. This tells that the child Mary was consecrated at the age of three to serve in the temple as a temple virgin. Zachariah, at that time High Priest of the Temple, did the unthinkable and carried Mary into the Holy of Holies as a sign of her importance – that she herself would become the ark in which God would take form. A kohen (or cohen, Hebrew כּהן "priest" pl כּהנִים kohanim or cohanim) has a separate status in Judaism. The Holy of Holies is a term in the Hebrew Bible which referred to the inner sanctuary of the Tabernacle and later the Temple in Jerusalem which could be entered At the age of twelve she was required to give up her position and marry, but she desired to remain forever a virgin in dedication to God. And so it was decided to marry her to a close relative, Joseph, an uncle or cousin, an older man, a widower, who would take care of her and allow her to retain her virginity. Joseph "of the House of David " ( Hebrew יוֹסֵף also known as Saint Joseph, Joseph the Betrothed, Joseph of Nazareth And so it was that when the time came she submitted to God’s will and allowed the Christ to take form within her. It is believed by many Orthodox that she, in her life, committed no sin; however, the Orthodox do not accept the Roman Catholic doctrine of the Immaculate conception. For dogmatic context see Roman Catholic Mariology. For artistic depictions see Roman Catholic Marian art. In the theology of the Orthodox Church, Christ was, from the very moment of conception, was fully God and fully man. Therefore Orthodox Christians believe that it is correct to say that Mary is indeed the Theotokos, the Birth-giver of God, and that she is the greatest of all humans ever to have lived except for Christ her Son.

After the birth of Jesus the Orthodox Church believes that she remained a virgin, continuing to serve God in all ways. She traveled much with her son, and was present both at his Passion on the Cross and at his ascension into heaven. This article describes the Christian Passion For other meanings see Passion. The Christian cross is the best-known Religious symbol of Christianity. The general and most common understanding of the Christian Doctrine of Ascension holds that Jesus bodily ascended to Heaven in the presence It is also believed that she was the first to know of her son's resurrection – the Archangel Gabriel appearing to her once more and revealing it to her. Within the body of Christian beliefs the resurrection of Jesus is a core event on which much of Christian doctrine and theology depend It is believed she lived to the age of seventy and called all the apostles to her before she died. According to tradition Saint Thomas arrived late and was not present at her death. Thomas the Apostle, also called Judas Thomas, Doubting Thomas, or Didymus, was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus. Desiring to kiss her hand one last time he opened her tomb but her body was gone. The Orthodox believe she was assumed into heaven bodily; however, unlike in the Roman Catholic Church, it is not a dogmatic prescription, and the holy day is usually referred to as the Feast of the Dormition, rather than the Assumption. The Dormition of the Theotokos ( Greek: Koimesis) is a Great Feast of the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox and This article is about the theological concept For the works of art with this title see Assumption of the Virgin Mary in Art and Roman Catholic Marian art.

Theologians from the Orthodox tradition have made prominent contributions to the development of Marian thought and devotion.

• John Damascene (c 650 - c 750) was one of the greatest Orthodox theologians. Chrysorrhoas redirects here For the river see Barada. Saint John of Damascus ( Arabic: يوحنا الدمشقي among other Marian writings, he proclaimed the essential nature of Mary's heavenly Assumption, or dormition, and her mediative role. The Dormition of the Theotokos ( Greek: Koimesis) is a Great Feast of the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox and

It was necessary that the body of the one who preserved her virginity intact in giving birth should also be kept incorrupt after death. It was necessary that she, who carried the Creator in her womb when he was a baby, should dwell among the tabernacles of heaven. . . ^[24]

From her we have harvested the grape of life; from her we have cultivated the seed of immortality. For our sake she became Mediatrix of all blessings; in her God became man, and man became God. ^[25]

Protestant views

See also: Protestant views of Mary

Protestants typically hold that Mary was the mother Jesus, but was an ordinary woman devoted to God. Protestant views of Mary include Theological positions of major Protestant representatives such as Martin Luther John Calvin but also some modern representatives Therefore, there are virtually no Marian venerations, Marian feasts, Marian pilgimages, Marian art, Marian music or Marian spirituality in today's Protestant communities. Within these views, Roman Catholic beliefs and practices are at times rejected as heresy, e. g. theologian Karl Barth wrote that "the heresy of the Catholic Church is its mariology. Karl Barth ( May 10, 1886 &ndash December 10, 1968) (pronounced "bart" a Swiss Reformed theologian was one "^[26]

Some early Protestants venerated and honored Mary. Martin Luther said Mary is "the highest woman", that "we can never honour her enough", that "the veneration of Mary is inscribed in the very depths of the human heart", and that Christians should "wish that everyone know and respect her". John Calvin said, "It cannot be denied that God in choosing and destining Mary to be the Mother of his Son, granted her the highest honor. " Zwingli said, "I esteem immensely the Mother of God", and, "The more the honor and love of Christ increases among men, so much the esteem and honor given to Mary should grow". Thus the idea of respect and high honour was not rejected by the first Protestants; but, they came to criticize the Roman Catholics for blurring the line, between high admiration of the grace of God wherever it is seen in a human being, and religious service given to another creature. The Roman Catholic practice of celebrating saints' days and making intercessory requests addressed especially to Mary and other departed saints they considered (and consider) to be idolatry. Idolatry is usually defined as Worship of any Cult image, Idea, or object, as opposed to the worship of a monotheistic God. With the exception of some portions of the Anglican Communion, Protestantism usually follows the reformers in rejecting the practice of directly addressing Mary and other saints in prayers of admiration or petition, as part of their religious worship of God. See also Anglicanism The Anglican Communion is an international association of national Anglican churches

Today's Protestants acknowledge that Mary is "blessed among women" (Luke 1:42) but they do not agree that Mary is to be venerated. She is considered to be an outstanding example of a life dedicated to God. Indeed the word that she uses to describe herself in Luke 1:38 (usually translated as "bond-servant" or "slave")^[27] refers to someone whose will is consumed by the will of another - in this case Mary's will is consumed by God's. Rather than granting Mary any kind of "dulia", Protestants note that her role in scripture seems to diminish - after the birth of Jesus she is hardly mentioned. From this it may be said that her attitude paralleled that of John the Baptist who said "He must become greater; I must become less" (John 3:30)

See also

• Ecumenical views of Mary
• Marian theology
• Marian doctrines of the Catholic Church
• Protestant views of Mary
• Mariology (disambiguation)

References

External links

• The Mary Page (The Marian Library/International Marian Research Institute, University of Dayton)
• Mariology.com
• Memorials of the Blessed Virgin Mary
• Mary's Intercession for us
• The Virgin Mary in the Bible
• Grace, Original Sin and Mary
•   "The Blessed Virgin Mary". Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, generally known as Strong's Concordance, is a concordance of the King James Bible Catholic Encyclopedia. The Catholic Encyclopedia, also referred to today as the Old Catholic Encyclopedia, is an English-language Encyclopedia published by The Encyclopedia (1913). New York: Robert Appleton Company.  
• Immaculate Conception
• Queenship of Mary
• Mary Defended
• Heart of Mary