Catholic ping!
Bookmark.
The prayer also predates the Council of Ephesus 431, upholding the doctrine of Mary “Theotokos” God bearer or mother of God.
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The article should have noted that there is no method by which to date this papyrus with exactness and certitude. Scholars’ estimates as to its age vary significantly.
Nice! I like the transliteration and translation of the papyrus fragment.
I think Kosloski errs when he say theotokos is an adjectival form of ... its not clear, theophoreo? Tokos comes from tikto and has to do with parturition. the Phoreo family of words .. which lingers through the Latin ferro and comes to us in words like transFER and reFERence... means to carry.
My own guess is that the confusion arises because in northern tongues “bear” (as a verb) means both to carry and to give birth ... and, I suppose, a “bairn” is a “born one”. So if WE say “God-bearer” there’s an equivocation that does not exist in Greek or Latin. We could mean God-carrier or God-birther.
Strictly speaking Deipara or Theotokos mean God birther.
Deigenetrix is more general, including both pregnancy and parturition.
...
In any case, the recognition of the hypostatic union and its early appearance in liturgy and devotion is wonderful to me.
So is this coffee!
Since the OP made this an Open Discussion Thread, I will add a comment also:
1. 200-300 is about when many of the pagan customs were incorporated into Catholicism.
2. No Jewish or Christian prayer is ever recorded in Scripture that addresses anyone but God.
3. No record of an Apostle or church leader before 100 AD ever praying to Mary or a departed saint.
4. No command to pray to a departed saint exists in Scripture.
5. No teaching in Scripture that a departed saint can hear a prayer from earth.
6. No evidence in Christian writings or secular writings or art can demonstrate any believer did this before 100 AD.
The oldest known Marian prayer—except for Luke 1:28. And Luke 1:42. Etc.
In a way, the Memorare is similar to it.
Wow this is awesome thank you so much for posting. I’ve often wondered how old this prayer is.
Thank-you for this posting and God Bless.
But; who really cares, since we can make up any prayers we want; as evidenced by the differing 'translations' shown in this article.
At a time when Islamic fascists are attacking Christians, we still see the same old Catholic/Protestant Christian infighting. Sad.
Have you forgotten that Catholics ARE CHRISTIANS.
Thank you, NYer.
“Under your
mercy
we take refuge,
Mother of God! Our
prayers, do not despise
in necessities,
but from the danger
deliver us,
only pure,
only blessed.”
Great post - thanks