Researched by the Ignaria Editorial Team · Published 2026-03-12
Marian theology developed in close connection with Christology: the title Theotokos (God-bearer) was defended at the Council of Ephesus (431 AD) not primarily as a statement about Mary but as an assertion that Christ the divine Son is truly one person. The affirmation of Mary's perpetual virginity developed earlier, with second and third-century writers defending it, while later theologians elaborated the theology of her immaculate nature and intercessory role. The Reformers generally retained Theotokos and perpetual virginity but rejected later Marian devotional accretions as unscriptural.
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What the primary sources show
"The holy Virgin is in truth an ark, wrought with gold both within and without" — and Gabriel was sent "to transform the dishonour of the female sex into honour... to wed the creature with the Creator." The most sustained third-century patristic meditation on Mary's virginity, Annunciation, and typological role as Ark of the sanctuary.
Condemned Nestorius's rejection of the title Theotokos and affirmed it — establishing the Christological basis of Marian theology: to deny that Mary is Theotokos is to split Christ into two persons.