Catholicity

MARIOLOGY

My beloved spoke and said to me,
“Arise, my darling, my beautiful one,
come with me.
See! The winter is past;
the rains are over and gone.”
Song of Solomon 2, 10-11

My explications of the Patristic texts

Epiphanius of Salamis (A.D. 377)
Panarion 78.23

“If the Holy Virgin had died and was buried, her falling asleep would have been surrounded with honor, death would have found her pure, and her crown would have been a virginal one…Had she been martyred according to what is written: ‘Thine own soul a sword shall pierce,’ she would shine gloriously among the martyrs, and her holy body would have been declared blessed, for by her did the light come to the world.”

In this text, Epiphanius, Bishop of Salamis, elaborates on the belief in the “falling asleep” (Dormition) of the Holy Virgin Mary, which refers to the theological conviction that she did not experience a conventional death but was instead assumed into heaven following her earthly life. Epiphanius posits that, had Mary died and been laid to rest like ordinary mortals, such an event would have been an occasion of immense honor and reverence, acknowledging her unparalleled purity, unwavering virtue, and profound devotion to God throughout her life.

The author further argues that, if she had indeed faced martyrdom for her faith, this would elevate the significance of her passing, as it would symbolize not merely death but a noble sacrifice for the sake of her beliefs. In such a scenario, her holy body would be venerated, affirming her status as a martyr whose sacrifice bears witness to the strength of her faith.

Nonetheless, Epiphanius emphasizes that the cornerstone of Mary’s significance is rooted in her divine role as the mother of Jesus Christ, the One who brought light and salvation to the world. He highlights her maternal love and the vital part she played in the Incarnation, suggesting that her contributions extend far beyond her earthly life and into the spiritual legacy she left for generations to come. This understanding of her Dormition, therefore, speaks not only to her personal sanctity but also to the crucial role she occupies in the tapestry of Christian salvation history.

Gregory of Tours (575-593 A.D.)
Eight Books of Miracles

“The course of this life having been completed by Blessed Mary, when now she would be called from the world, all the Apostles came together from their various regions to her house. And when they had heard that she was about to be taken from the world, they kept watch together with her. And behold, the Lord Jesus came with His angels, and taking her soul, He gave it to angel Michael and withdrew.”

At daybreak, however, the Apostles took up her body on a bier and placed it in a tomb, and they guarded it, expecting the Lord to come. And behold, again the Lord stood by them. Having received The holy body, he commanded that it be taken in a cloud into paradise: where now, rejoined to the soul, [Mary] rejoices with the Lord’s chosen ones, and is the enjoyment of the good of an eternity that will never end.”

St. Gregory recounts the events following the completion of Blessed Mary’s life on earth. Upon hearing that she was about to depart, the Apostles gathered together from their various regions at her house. They kept watch together with her, knowing that her passing was imminent. At that moment, the Lord Jesus arrived with His angels and took Mary’s soul, giving it to angel Michael before departing. It was a profound moment that affirmed Mary’s exceptional status as the Mother of God.

The following day, the Apostles placed Mary’s body on a bier and laid it in a tomb. They guarded it with great care, expecting the Lord to come. The scene is of deep reverence and devotion, as the Apostles recognized the importance of Mary’s body and its connection to her life and spirit. And behold, once again, the Lord stood by them. He commanded that the holy body be taken in a cloud into paradise, where it was rejoined to her soul. This momentous event confirmed Mary’s unique place in salvation history and affirmed the belief in the afterlife and the idea of eternal life in paradise. Mary is now in paradise, enjoying eternity with the Lord’s chosen ones, but in body and soul.

Modestus of Jerusalem (ante A.D. 634)
Encomium in dormitionnem Sanctissimae
Dominae nostrae Deiparae semperque Virginis Mariae

“As the most glorious Mother of Christ, our Savior and God and the giver of life and immortality, has been endowed with life by him, she has received an eternal incorruptibility of the body together with him who has raised her up from the tomb and has taken her up to himself in a way known only to him.”

Modestus, Bishop of Jerusalem, emphasizes the profound significance of Mary, the Mother of Christ, who occupies a cherished position in the hearts of Christians worldwide. As the divine Mother of our Savior and God, Mary not only gave birth to Jesus but also stands as a symbol of life and immortality for all believers. According to tradition, following her earthly life, God granted Mary eternal life, bestowing upon her an incorruptible body after her death. This miraculous elevation is believed to have occurred when Christ, having triumphed over death through His resurrection, raised Mary from the tomb and took her up to Himself in a manner known only to Him.

In Catholic doctrine, Mary holds a unique and revered position. She is the only figure, alongside Jesus, who exists in both body and soul in heaven until the final resurrection of the dead. Mary’s assumption into heaven is not merely a historical event; it stands as a powerful testimony to her unwavering faith and profound devotion to God throughout her life. Her Assumption symbolizes hope, serving as an inspiration for all who strive to follow her example of steadfast faith and unwavering dedication in their spiritual journeys.

The mystery and magnificence of Mary’s assumption into heaven continue to be a source of wonder, contemplation, and theological reflection for believers worldwide. This event invites the faithful to reflect on the themes of resurrection, divine love, and the ultimate call to eternal life, thereby reinforcing Mary’s role as a guiding light for those seeking to deepen their relationship with God.

Theoteknos of Livias (ante A.D. 650)
Homily on the Assumption

“It was fitting …that Mary’s most holy body, God-bearing body, the receptacle of God, divinized,
incorruptible, illuminated by divine grace and full glory …should be entrusted to the earth for a little
while and raised up to heaven in glory, with her soul pleasing to God.”

The text from Theoteknos of Livias discusses the Assumption of Mary, a significant event in Christian theology, particularly within the Catholic and Orthodox traditions. It presents several key themes and concepts highlighting Mary’s importance in the context of salvation and her unique role as the Mother of God.

The phrase “it was fitting” suggests a theological rationale for Mary’s Assumption. It implies that her being taken up into heaven is appropriate and just, given her role as the Mother of Jesus Christ. This establishes a sense of divine order and intention behind the event.

By referring to Mary’s body as “most holy,” the text emphasizes her purity and sanctity. This sets Mary apart from all humans, highlighting her as a special vessel chosen by God.

The term “God-bearing” (Theotokos in Greek) underscores Mary’s significant role in the Incarnation—bearing Jesus Christ, who is both fully divine and fully human. This title affirms her as a key figure in Christian belief, acknowledging the divine element present within her.

These descriptors, “Divinized, Incorruptible, Illuminated by Divine Grace,” attribute Mary’s transformed and glorified state. “Divinized suggests that she shares in the divine nature through grace, “incorruptible” indicates freedom from sin and decay, and “illuminated by divine grace” points to the presence of God’s grace in her life. Together, these terms reflect a belief in the sanctity of Mary’s entire existence.

The phrase “Entrusted to the Earth for a Little While” speaks to the temporality of Mary’s earthly existence, indicating that her time on Earth was brief compared to her eternal glory. It suggests that her earthly life served a purpose in God’s plan.

“Raised Up to Heaven in Glory” refers to the culmination of Mary’s earthly life and her Assumption into heaven. It underscores the belief in Mary’s glorification, where she is rewarded for her unique life and role.

The final point, “Her Soul Pleasing to God,” highlights Mary’s close relationship with God, suggesting that her life and actions perfectly align with divine will. It reinforces the idea that she is honored and elevated in the heavenly realm due to her virtues and faithfulness.

In summary, Theoteknos of Livias presents a theological reflection on Mary’s Assumption, portraying her as a pivotal figure who is honored by God. The text underscores her purity, divine mission as the mother of Jesus, and eventual glorification, all of which are key elements in understanding her significance within the Christian faith.

Germanus of Constantinople (ante A.D. 733)
Sermon 1

“You are she who, as it is written, appears in beauty, and your virginal body is all holy, all chaste, entirely the dwelling place of God so that it is henceforth completely exempt from dissolution into dust. Though still human, it has been changed into a heavenly life of incorruptibility, truly living and glorious, undamaged and sharing in perfect life.”

The Bishop (Patriarch) of Constantinople describes a female figure in great detail. According to the passage, she is known for her beauty and purity, emphasized by the phrase “she who appears in beauty.” The passage describes her body as holy and chaste, which suggests that she is virtuous and pure in mind and body. Furthermore, he suggests that this woman’s body has been transformed into a dwelling place of God. This implies that she is spiritually connected to a higher power and has been blessed with divine grace.

As a result of this transformation, her body has become exempt from decay and will not dissolve into dust. In other words, her body has been elevated to a higher spiritual plane, where it is no longer subject to the limitations of human mortality. Despite being human, Germanus suggests that this woman’s body has been transformed into a heavenly state of incorruptibility. This implies that her body has been purified, perfected, and has become truly living and glorious. Germanus further emphasizes that her body is undamaged and shares in perfect life, suggesting that it has been elevated to eternal bliss and joy.

John of Damascus (ante A.D. 749)
Dormition of Mary

“It was fitting that the she, who had kept her virginity intact in childbirth, should keep her own body free from all corruption even after death. It was fitting that she, who had carried the Creator as a child at her breast, should dwell in the divine tabernacles. It was fitting that the spouse, whom the Father had taken to himself, should live in the divine mansions. It was fitting that she, who had seen her Son upon the cross and who had thereby received into her heart the sword of sorrow which she had escaped when giving birth to him, should look upon him as he sits with the Father. It was fitting that God’s Mother should possess what belongs to her Son and that she should be honored by every creature as the Mother and handmaid of God.”

The passage reflects on the life, death, and ultimate destiny of the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus. St. John of Damascus begins by highlighting Mary’s unique and significant role in the history of Christianity. He notes that Mary remained a virgin even after giving birth to Jesus, which was seen as a miraculous and fitting sign of her purity and devotion. The author then emphasizes that Mary’s life was marked by her faithfulness, devotion, and suffering. He underlines that Mary nourished Jesus, the Creator of the universe, as a child; therefore, it was fitting that she reside in the divine dwelling places. Mary’s motherhood was also seen as an essential part of her role in the life of Jesus, and the text suggests that it was fitting for her to be honored by every creature as the mother and servant of God.

Furthermore, the text highlights the depth of Mary’s suffering as she witnessed her son’s crucifixion and shared in his sorrows. The author notes that Mary’s suffering was also seen as a sign of her faithfulness and devotion to God. He suggests it was fitting for Mary to look upon her son as he sits with the Father, having escaped the sword of sorrow when giving birth to him. The text concludes by emphasizing that God’s mother should have possessed what rightfully belongs to her son, Jesus. It celebrates Mary’s unique relationship with Jesus; all Christians should aspire to emulate her purity, devotion, and faithfulness as exemplary qualities.

Overall, this passage from The Dormition of Mary is a powerful tribute to Mary’s life and legacy, and its message is one of hope, faith, and devotion to God.

And Mary said:
My soul does magnify the Lord.
And my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour.
For he has regarded the lowliness of his handmaid;
behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
Because he that is mighty has done great things to me;
and holy is his name.
Luke 1, 46-49

AVE MARIA