The Virgin Mary, also known as the Blessed Virgin Mary, Holy Mary, or simply Mary, holds a central place in Christian tradition as the mother of Jesus Christ. According to Christian belief, she conceived Jesus through the Holy Spirit while remaining a virgin, a doctrine known as the Virgin Birth. This event is celebrated in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke in the New Testament.
Mary is especially venerated in Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Anglican, and some Protestant traditions for her role in salvation history. Catholics, in particular, hold a deep devotion to her, often referring to her as the "Mother of God" (Theotokos) because she gave birth to Jesus, who is considered both fully divine and fully human.
Key events in Mary's life include:
-
The Annunciation: When the angel Gabriel told her she would conceive and bear the Son of God.
-
The Nativity: Mary's giving birth to Jesus in Bethlehem.
-
The Assumption: The Catholic and Eastern Orthodox belief that Mary was taken up to heaven, body and soul, at the end of her earthly life.
-
The Immaculate Conception: The Catholic teaching that Mary was conceived without original sin.
Mary is also honored as a model of faith, humility, and obedience to God's will. She is a figure of great significance in religious art, liturgy, and devotion, particularly through practices such as the Rosary and various Marian prayers. Mary is often seen as an intercessor who prays for believers and guides them in their faith.
