“A virgin, who was then given in marriage to a man, was found worthy for the service of [the Incarnation], so that virginity might be honored and marriage not be despised. For virginity was chosen as being apt to sanctification, but with the betrothal, the precepts of marriage were also included.” Basil of Caesarea ,... Continue Reading →
“An ancient author offered another reason. The marriage with Joseph was planned so that Mary's virginity might remain hidden from the prince of this world. For the external forms of marriage were adopted by the Virgin, almost as if to distract the Evil One, who has always preyed on virgins, ever since he heard the... Continue Reading →
"Being outside of the flesh, the Word of God took upon himself the holy flesh from the holy Virgin: like a bridegroom, He prepared for Himself that garment which He would weave together with His suffering on the Cross... In this way, he intended to obtain salvation for man, who was perishing" Hippolytus, Christ and Antichrist 4;... Continue Reading →
"I ask myself why God, after having decided that the Lord was to be born of a virgin, did not choose a young woman without a fiance, but instead chose [Mary], who was already engaged. If I am not mistaken, the reason is this: the Lord had to be born of a virgin who was... Continue Reading →
"Let us now see whether the apostle also restricts the term to the same meaning it has in Genesis, which applies it to the female sex (cf. Gen 2:23), when he calls the Virgin Mary "woman" (Gal 4:4), just as Genesis called Eve "woman". Writing to the Galatians, he says, "God sent his Son, born... Continue Reading →
Virgin Mary 