Early Christianity The group most closely associated with denial of the
The perpetual virginity of Mary is a Christian doctrine that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was a virgin "before, during and after" the birth of Christ. In Western Christianity, the Catholic Church adheres to the doctrine, as do some Lutherans, Anglicans, Reformed, and other Protestants.
Others maintain that Luther in later years changed his position on the Immaculate Conception, which, at that time was undefined in the Church, maintaining however the sinlessness of Mary throughout her life.
It is not accepted by Eastern Orthodoxy due to differences in the understanding of original sin, although they do affirm Mary's purity and preservation from sin.
The group most closely associated with denial of the virgin birth were the Ebionites. However, Jerome does not say that all Ebionites denied the virgin birth, but only contrasts their view with the acceptance of the doctrine on the part of a related group, the Nazarenes.
The Roman Catholic Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary on December 8. It is a feast that recognizes Mary's conception without any stain of sin. While not explicitly mentioned in the Bible, the dogma of the Immaculate Conception is supported by various scripture passages.
Baptists “honor Mary as the mother of Jesus Christ” but consider the “communion of saints as primarily a present reality among Christians,” and don't pray to Mary or “deceased Christians lest such infringe the sole mediatorship of Jesus Christ.”
For the Catholic doctrine, Jesus Christ also was born without the original sin, by virtue of the fact that he is God and was incarnated by the Holy Spirit in the womb of the Virgin Mary.
Catholics do not pray to Mary as if she were God. Prayer to Mary is memory of the great mysteries of our faith (Incarnation, Redemption through Christ in the rosary), praise to God for the wonderful things he has done in and through one of his creatures (Hail Mary) and intercession (second half of the Hail Mary).
Anglicans of evangelical or low church tradition tend to avoid honouring Mary. Other Anglicans respect and honour Mary because of the special religious significance that she has within Christianity as the mother of Jesus Christ. This honour and respect is termed veneration.
Broadly, Roman Catholicism differs from other Christian churches and denominations in its beliefs about the sacraments, the roles of the Bible and tradition, the importance of the Virgin Mary and the saints, and the papacy.
The phrase "pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death" demonstrates that Catholics view Mary not as a goddess to be worshipped, but as a helpful ally in the life-long struggle against sin and temptation.
"Because of Mary's singular cooperation with the action of the Holy Spirit, the Church loves to pray in communion with the Virgin Mary, to magnify with her the great things the Lord has done for her, and to entrust supplications and praises to her.
The Hail Mary is a prayer of praise for and of petition to Mary, regarded as the Theotokos (Mother of God). Since the 16th century, the version of the prayer used in the Catholic Church closes with an appeal for her intercession.
The earliest recorded prayer to Mary is the sub tuum praesidium (3rd or 4th century) and the earliest depictions of her are from the Priscilla catacombs in Rome (early 3rd century).
Virgin Birth, doctrine of traditional Christianity that Jesus Christ had no natural father but was conceived by Mary through the power of the Holy Spirit. The doctrine that Mary was the sole natural parent of Jesus is based on the infancy narratives contained in the Gospel accounts of Matthew and Luke.
~ Mary's immaculate conception was necessary in order for her to give birth later to Jesus without infecting him with original sin. ~ Partly based on her immaculate conception, Mary is considered the mother of the Roman Catholic church and of all its members.
A careful look at the New Testament shows that Mary kept her vow of virginity and never had any children other than Jesus. When Jesus was found in the Temple at age twelve, the context suggests that he was the only son of Mary and Joseph.
Catholics honor Mary as the model virgin, whereas Pentecostals see her as the model wife and mother. But in both cases her holiness is essential to her special role in the coming of Jesus upon the earth. Fourthly, Pentecostals and Catholics would agree on Mary as a model and example of Christian faith and trust.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that the Virgin Mary is mother of the church and of all its members, namely all Christians: The Virgin Mary ... is acknowledged and honoured as being truly the Mother of God and of the redeemer. ...
Mary's essential role in Christianity is made clear by the dogmas of her Divine Motherhood, Immaculate Conception, Perpetual Virginity, and Bodily Assumption. To our friend who wants to know the minimum he must believe about Mary, it is those four things.
Matthew 1:18 says that Mary was betrothed (engaged) to Joseph. She would have been twelve years old or a little less at the time of events described in the gospels, as under Jewish law betrothal was only possible for minors, which for girls meant aged under twelve or prior to the first mense, whichever came first.
Known formally as parthenogenesis, virgin birth occurs when an embryo develops from an unfertilized egg cell. The development of an embryo usually requires genetic material from sperm and egg, as well as a series of chemical changes sparked by fertilization.
While the doctrine of the Virgin Birth teaches that Jesus was born of a virgin mother and, thus, was without an earthly father, the Immaculate Conception refers to the earthly origin of Mary herself. The doctrine was first officially stated by Pope Pius IX on Dec. 8, 1854.
Mary restored papal supremacy in England, abandoned the title of Supreme Head of the Church, reintroduced Roman Catholic bishops and began the slow reintroduction of monastic orders.