Saint Mary, often referred to as the Virgin Mary, holds a deeply significant and revered position within Christianity as the mother of Jesus Christ. Her life and spiritual role have been subjects of profound devotion and theological discussion for centuries.
Key Facts About Saint Mary
Here are three important facts regarding Saint Mary:
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Historical Reality | Saint Mary was a real person who lived in the first century. Her existence is fundamental to the biblical narrative and Christian belief, underpinning the Incarnation of Jesus Christ. She is not a mythical figure but an individual whose life and experiences are recounted in sacred texts and historical traditions. |
| Mother of God (Theotokos) | The Church formally proclaimed Mary's motherhood of God—often referred to by the Greek term Theotokos, meaning "God-bearer"—as an unquestionable truth, or dogma, at the Council of Ephesus in 431 CE. This declaration affirmed the divine nature of Jesus from the moment of his conception and Mary's unique role in salvation history as the one who bore God incarnate. |
| Veneration, Not Worship | While Catholics and many other Christians engage in prayer and deep veneration of Mary, this practice does not mean she is regarded as a goddess. Instead, she is honored as an exemplary figure of faith, humility, and obedience, and as a powerful intercessor who can present prayers to God on behalf of believers. This distinction is crucial: she is revered as a creature of God, albeit one with an unparalleled role, and not worshipped as divine herself. |
Mary's influence extends far beyond Catholicism, as her figure is also highly regarded in various other Christian denominations and even in other Abrahamic religions, underscoring her universal appeal as a symbol of purity, faith, and maternal love.
