Here, Origen explains the importance of believing in the virginal birth of Jesus:
“If someone believes that he who was crucified under Pontius Pilate was a holy person, who came to bring salvation to the world, but does not believe in his birth of the Virgin Mary and the Holy Spirit, thinking instead that he was born of Joseph and Mary, then this person lacks in indispensable condition for possessing the complete faith”
Origen, Commentary on John 31, 16; PG 14, 784; GSC 10, 452
“In the case of any man, it is appropriate to say that he was born “by means of a woman” because he was born of a woman, he took his origin from a man, But Christ, whose flesh did not take its origin from a man’s seed, is rightly said to have been born “of a woman.”
Origen, Commentary on the Letter to the Romans 3, 10; PG 14, 956-57
If Jesus was born as a result of natural marital relations, then his nature would be like any other man. And His death would have no significance for our salvation. He would be just another good man who lived by the law’s moral standards and died like any other person. Hence, in the Fourth Century, the authors of the Nicene Creed wrote :
For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven, and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man.
Nicene Creed
If you are interested in more quotes on Virgin Mary, you can find them in Mary and the Fathers of the Church on Amazon in both in Kindle and paperback formats.
References
Gambero, L., 1999. Mary and the Fathers of the Church 1st ed. Translated by Buffer, T., San Francisco: Ignatius Press. p.74
