Mary
The life of the Theotokos is a mystery. Few details of the life of this influential woman are known; even the New Testament says little about the woman who bore God. Mary was the daughter of Joachim and Anna, an elderly couple who were barren until her birth. The Proevangelion of James, most of which the church rejects, says that she grew up in the temple. The priests chose Joseph as her bridegroom. She was with child when the pair went to Bethlehem to register in the census. After the birth of her son, the family travelled to Egypt and resettled in Galilee. She was frequently with the disciples of Jesus and stood by him at the crucifixion. She was also present at the Ascension and Pentecost. She is supposed to have adopted and been adopted by St. John. She died at Jerusalem or Ephesus. The Council of Ephesus (431) reaffirmed that she was the mother of God.
Karen Rae Keck
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