The Perpetual Virginity of Blessed Mary

The Perpetual Virginity of Blessed Mary is an apologetic work of Saint Jerome. It is an answer to Helvidius.[1]

A depiction of Mary with little Jesus by Cima da Conegliano

Helvidius was the author of a work written about the year 383 against the belief in the perpetual virginity of Mary (the mother of Jesus).

Saint Jerome maintains against Helvidius three propositions:

• That Joseph was only putatively, not really, the husband of Mary.
• That the "brothers" of the Lord were his cousins, not his own brothers.
• That virginity is better than the married state.

See also

• Brothers of Jesus

Sources

1. Hunter, David G. (Spring 1993). "Helvidius, Jovinian, and the Virginity of Mary in Late Fourth-Century Rome". Journal of Early Christian Studies. Johns Hopkins University Press. 1 (1): 47–71. doi:10.1353/earl.0.0147. Retrieved 2016-08-30.

External links

• Jerome (c. 383), "The Perpetual Virginity of Blessed Mary - Against Helvidius", in Philip Schaff; Henry Wace; Kevin Knight (eds.), Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series, Vol. 6, Translated by W.H. Fremantle, G. Lewis and W.G. Martley, Buffalo, New York: Christian Literature Publishing Co. (retrieved from New Advent)
• "The Perpetual Virginity of Blessed Mary Against Helvidius". clerus.org. Archived from the original on November 11, 2019.