Different parts of the Life of the Blessed Virgin Mary are known from the second century onwards. Translations and adaptations into Syriac and other languages also became available from very early centuries. The compilation in the Syriac language was translated into Malayalam in 1925, but an English translation containing the full text did not exist at all. This gap has been filled now by this work. Sebastian Brock’s Foreword gives important information on the background and authenticity of the different sources that form the basis of the text. This biography is unique in that it brings together some very early accounts of the birth of Mary, the birth of Jesus, the flight into Egypt, and most importantly, the very rare account of the ‘Dormition’ or ‘falling asleep’ of the Blessed Mother.
First Publisher’s Note ............................................................... xi
Foreword by Dr. Sebastian Brock ........................................... xiii
Introduction by Sarah Knight .................................................xvii
The ‘Six Books’ ...............................................................xvii
Authorship .....................................................................xvii
Provenance ...................................................................xviii
Date and authorship of the Syriac archetype ................... xix
Translations and content ................................................. xix
Books 1 & 2 ..................................................................... xix
Book 3 ............................................................................. xix
Book 4 .............................................................................. xx
Book 5 ............................................................................. xxi
Book 6 ............................................................................ xxii
Prayer of the Virgin Mary ............................................... xxii
Sequence of events at the Departure ............................... xxiii
Secondary Characters .................................................... xxiv
Other recensions ............................................................ xxv
The Syrian Christians of Kerala and the Syriac original . xxvi
Conclusion ................................................................... xxvii
Further Reading .................................................................... xxix
Preface to the translation from the original Syriac into Malayalam
in 1924 by the late Rev. Fr. Kuriyakos Pallikkapparambil ..... xxxi
Letter from the first translation’s imprimatur ...................... xxxiii
Acknowledgements .............................................................. xxxv
Life of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God .............. 1
Book 1. The Birth of Mary, and the Annunciation ....................... 3
Book 2. The Birth of Jesus ....................................................... 13
Book 3. The Flight to Egypt, and the Vision of Patriarch Theophilus
of Alexandria ........................................................................... 21
Patriarch Mor Theophilus’ sermon ................................... 22
Emperor Theodosius’ visit to Egypt ................................. 25
Patriarch Mor Theophilus’ Vision .................................... 27
Book 4. The Child Jesus in Nazareth ....................................... 47
Book 5. The glories that attend the Blessed Virgin Mary’s last
days ................................................................................ 53
PART 1 ............................................................................. 55
Search for the Book on the Virgin’s Departure: the monks
of Sinai send a letter to Jerusalem ........................... 55
A discovery in Jerusalem ................................................. 56
The Jerusalem Church’s reply .......................................... 58
Finding the Book in Ephesus ........................................... 58
PART 2 ............................................................................. 60
The Chief Priests contend with Mary ............................... 60
King Abgar of Edessa writes to Tiberius Caesar................ 61
Mary prepares to leave for Bethlehem ............................. 64
On the maidens who accompanied Mary ......................... 65
On how the Apostles were gathered together in Bethlehem .... 66
PART 3 ............................................................................. 73
The glory of Mary revealed in Bethlehem ........................ 73
Miracles of the Blessed Virgin Mary................................. 74
Astonishing events in Bethlehem ..................................... 76
Mary is taken back to Jerusalem...................................... 77
The Governor questions the Jerusalemites ....................... 80
The Governor calls for a debate between the Confessors
and the Unbelievers ................................................. 82
The whereabouts of the Holy Cross is revealed ................ 84
The Governor visits Mary in her house ............................ 86
Another account of the miracles performed by Mary ....... 90
Juphanio’s confession and witness ................................... 91
The Apostles move Mary to the cave ............................... 93
Book 6. The Departure of the Blessed Virgin Mary .................. 95
PART 1 ............................................................................. 95
Jesus the Messiah arrives in glory to attend the Departure
of His Blessed Mother .............................................. 95
PART 2 ........................................................................... 102
The Blessed Virgin Mary’s body is removed to Paradise ....102
PART 3 ........................................................................... 103
The Apostles return to the Mount of Olives ................... 103
PART 4 ........................................................................... 108
Matters relating to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother
of God, after she was taken to Paradise .................. 108
Prayer of the Blessed Virgin Mary ......................................... 117
Prayer for those who are sick ................................................ 123
