Life of the Virgin Mary

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The Life of the Virgin Mary is a significant Byzantine work of Marian doctrine and devotion, written by John Geometres. This literary and rhetorical masterpiece offers a comprehensive biography of Mary, focusing on her role as a leader of Christ's female disciples, her participation in the passion and resurrection, and her leadership of the nascent Church. This is the first complete translation of the work into a modern language, based on a new edition of the Byzantine Greek text.

Format: Hardback
Length: 496 pages
Publication date: 26 May 2023
Publisher: Harvard University Press

The Life of the Virgin Mary, penned by the esteemed Byzantine poet and author John Geometres (circa 935–ca. 1000), stands as a remarkable literary and rhetorical masterpiece that remains largely unknown to the modern world. Despite his immense reputation, Geometres' most significant work, the Life of the Virgin Mary, has remained largely overlooked. This extraordinary theological masterpiece showcases Geometres' profound devotion to the Mother of God and his exceptional theological sophistication. The Life offers a comprehensive biography of Mary, spanning from her ancestry to her death and beyond, with a particular focus on her role as the spiritual guide and mentor of Christ's female disciples, her active participation in the passion and resurrection, and her leadership of the nascent Church. It has rightly been regarded as a critical missing piece in the broader puzzle of connecting early Marian writings with later works.

In order to provide a more accessible and comprehensive translation of this important text, this edition is based on a newly revised and annotated Byzantine Greek text. The result is a faithful rendering of Geometres' original work in a modern language, making it accessible to a wider audience and facilitating a deeper understanding of this significant Byzantine work.

Through its meticulous translation and insightful commentary, this edition of the Life of the Virgin Mary offers a valuable contribution to the study of Marian doctrine and devotion. It provides scholars, students, and enthusiasts with a comprehensive and accessible resource that sheds light on the life and teachings of Mary, one of the most revered figures in Christian history. Whether one is interested in theology, history, or religious studies, this translation provides a rich and rewarding experience that will deepen one's understanding of the Virgin Mary and her enduring significance.

Dimension: 203 x 133 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780674290808