The Life of the Theotokos

[Grand_Duchess-Elizaveta]

Hi, everyone.:wave: I have fully embraced Mary as being the Mother of God incarnate, but I still know very little about her life. Not much is recorded in scripture. My questions are as follows:

1. What are the most reliable sources in Tradition that will teach me about her life?

2. It is my understanding that most of what is known about her comes from non-canonical writings which are considered questionable where accuracy is concerned. Is this true? If so, how can we rely on them for accurate information?

I'm specifically curious about the tradition that says Mary was dedicated to the temple at a young age and was even taken to the altar (or something like that). Where did that originate? Any help would be greatly appreciated.:)

[Orthosdoxa]

Look for the Protoevangelion of James on line. It's about a half hour read. Extremely interesting, and how sad that Western Christianity has lost this precious Gem of Tradition.

[Grand_Duchess-Elizaveta]

Look for the Protoevangelion of James on line. It's about a half hour read. Extremely interesting, and how sad that Western Christianity has lost this precious Gem of Tradition.
Thanks.:) Is it considered reliable by the Church? I saw something on the History Channel saying it was not reliable or something. Granted, History Channel has a fairly strong bias (bias against, that is) where Traditional Christianity is concerned. I love how they have groups of "scholars" pick apart scripture and Church history in order to explain things away. [rolls eyes]

[Philip]

You can read it here (http://earlychristianwritings.com/text/infancyjames-roberts.html)

Thanks.:) Is it considered reliable by the Church?
It is not consider Scripture, but my experience is that it is consider fairly reliable. It is possible that some parts have been 'enhanced', but the core is reliable.


I saw something on the History Channel saying it was not reliable or something.

They say the same thing about the Gospels.