The Life of the Virgin Mary: Patristic Theology

The Life of the Virgin, attributed to the 7th-century Church Father St. Maximus the Confessor, is the earliest full biography of Mary that has come down to us. In it he details the main points of the Virgin’s story, drawing on both the Scriptures and holy tradition to give the fullest possible portrait of her life. He begins by narrating the Immaculate Conception and childhood of Mary herself, following her through the joys and trials of the Annunciation, the Virgin Birth, Christ’s Baptism and earthly ministry, culminating in His Passion, Crucifixion, and Resurrection, and ending with His Ascension and Mary’s own Dormition. The final chapter tells the story of the Deposition of her Holy Robe.