Virgin Mary
(1st century)
The Blessed Virgin, mother of God. Most venerated in the Greek orthodox
church.
As a young maiden she was betrothed to the carpenter Joseph. The archangel
Gabriel announced
to her that she would give birth to Jesus. Joseph was also visited by the
angel, and told that she had been chosen as the mother of God, and so he
realized that she had not been unfaithful.
After the birth of Jesus she did not had other children, amongst others
Jacob was also in the
holly family.
There are many legends concerning the Virgin Mary. One tells us she settled
and died in Ephesus at an old age. 72 angels had appeared to her and told
her her time had come and then gave her a palm branch from paradise. The
Virgin sent for the apostles, and they sat by her death bed. Christ appeared
which an army of angels and took her soul to heaven.
During the funeral procession an Jewish priest tried to prevent them, but
his hands stuck to the bier and only St.
Peter could rescue him. Eventually her body was taken to heaven
as well.
In Greece she is depicted in a red or purple mantle, the colour of queens,
usually holding the infant Jesus. Depending on the pose, she is called the
Sweet Kisser, the Mother, the Baby Holder etc..
There are several holidays connected to the Virgin Mary in Greece, August
15 being the most important one: the day of the assumption. There are also
local holidays. Greeks named after the Virgin can also be called Panagiota
or Panagiotis, since that is how most people refer to her: Panagia ("All-saint"),
or Despina.
The whole of Mt. Athos is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, and so she is the
only female allowed there. Greeks tend to invoke the Virgin Mary rather
than God or Christ, and she is especially prayed to in cases of bad health
or infertility.
Orthodox nameday: 15/8
