The life of Virgin Mary, Mother of Jesus
The Orthodox Christians gave Mary the title of Theotokos (Greek for Birth-giver-of-God), as well as Mother of God. She is mentioned in every service and every prayer before a devotion is placed in front of God. The life of Virgin Mary in Orthodox Christianity is a definite one. Mary is considered to be the beacon of light and hope for humanity. All social constructs of the society which make life function as a whole look up to her. In order to ensure a functional life in the world.
Mary the Virgin was born in Galilee in a Jewish household. Her parents’ devoted her to God at the age of three in a Jewish temple. She was betrothed to Joseph at the age of 12 or 13. It was sometime during her engagement period when the angels told her of God’s plan, which was for her to be the mother of Jesus Christ on Earth. Her dedication to God and her faith in Him never once let her doubt His plan. She accepted it with utter fidelity, even with all the personal challenges that followed afterwards.
It is said that Mary conceived Jesus through the Holy Spirit while she was virgin and then she accompanied Joseph to Bethlehem where Jesus was born. The Virgin Mary and Joseph raised Jesus along with their other children. The views regarding the other children’s birth vary as some claim they were natural-born children of Joseph and Mary. While others claim that they were stepchildren from Joseph’s former marriage. Both the claims still stand without the resolve to this day.
The Life of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Many occurrences of Joseph and Mary with Jesus throughout his life has been reported such as when they found him preaching villagers in a temple or when Mary asked him to turn water into wine as it ran out during a wedding ceremony. She was also reported to be present when Jesus Christ died before her eyes on the cross. Before Jesus Christ died on the cross, he asked John, an apostle, to take care of his mother after his death. Many believe that Mary the Virgin moved to Ephesus with John and died a human death and her soul went to heaven. Her body stayed on Earth for three days before it was taken to heaven. This is known as the miracle of Dormition which is believed by the Orthodox Christians.
