www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology Question about the Blessed Virgin

Why is it said she was an unwed bride, when she was espoused to Joseph? Does this mean that they were engaged but never married?

I've been listening to Ancient Faith radio and have heard this term many times and I am curious what it means?

Thank you,
Mary (who still has much to learn)

Dear Mary,

It might be a matter of semantics. Probably the word marriage, and consumation of marriage, means the same thing. The Virgin Mary was bethrothed to Joseph, which means she was engaged, yet she remained a virgin before and after her marriage. She is called Ever-Virgin.

In Greek they say nymphi, a-nymphi-te, which means a bride without being a bride.

God Bless,

Zenovia

Mary of Egypt,

Good question. I think most of us who speak English instantly process this beautiful title as meaning "Bride who never knew wedlock" without in any way questioning the reality of Mary's being by espousal the lawful wedded wife of Joseph.

Maybe this hymn will explain it, I wish I could find it sung online for you.

O Virgin Pure
by St. Nectarios
Plagal First Tone (Tone 5)

Refrain: O Rejoice, Bride Unwedded.

O Virgin pure, immaculate/ O Lady Theotokos
O Virgin Mother, Queen of all/ and fleece which is all dewy
More radiant than the rays of sun/ and higher than the heavens
Delight of virgin choruses/ superior to Angels.
Much brighten than the firmament/ and pure than the sun's light
More holy than the multitude/ of all the heav'nly armies.

O Rejoice, Bride Unwedded.

O Ever Virgin Mary/ of all the world, the Lady
O bride all pure, immaculate/ O Lady Panagia
O Mary bride and queen of all/ our cause of jubilation
Majestic maiden, Queen of all/ O our most holy Mother
More hon'rable than Cherubim/ beyond compare more glorious
than immaterial Seraphim/ and greater than angelic thrones.

O Rejoice, Bride Unwedded.

Rejoice, O son of Cherubim/ Rejoice, O hymn of angels
Rejoice, O ode of Seraphim/ the joy of the archangels
Rejoice, O peace and happiness/ the harbor of salvation
O sacred chamber of the Word/ flower of incorruption
Rejoice, delightful paradise/ of blessed life eternal
Rejoice, O wood and tree of life/ the fount of immortality

O Rejoice, Bride Unwedded.

I supplicate you, Lady/ now do I call upon you
And I beseech you, Queen of all/ I beg of you your favor
Majestic maiden, spotless one/ O Lady Panagia
I call upon you fervently/ O sacred, hallowed temple
Assist me and deliver me/ protect me from the enemy
And make me an inheritor/ of blessed life eternal.

O Rejoice, Bride Unwedded.

(Source and translation from: Holy Nativity Convent, Saxonburg, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.)

http://www.serfes.org/spiritual/november1999.htm

I found two links to the above hymn...

This is done by monks...
http://www.imr.gr/multimedia/Agni_parthene_simonopetra.mp3

This by a choir...
http://www.musicarussica.com/multimedia/clips/e15_trk23.mp3

The Akathist Hymn has it as well. You can hear Eikona sing it here [goarch.org].

It is truly meet to call thee blessed, the Theotokos, the ever-blessed and all-immaculate and Mother of our God. More honourable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, thee who without corruption gavest birth to God the Word, the very Theotokos, thee do we magnify.

When the bodiless one learned the secret command, in haste he came and stood before Joseph's dwelling, and spake unto the maiden who knew not wedlock; the One Who hath bowed the Heavens by His descent is held and contained unchanging wholly in thee. Seeing Him receiving the form of a servant in thy womb, I stand in awe and cry to thee, rejoice, thou bride unwedded.

And it continues as a refrain throughout...

Thank you all for your answers. Pani Rose and Wondering, thank you for the links to hear this beautiful hymn in honer of the Most Holy Theotokos chanted.

It's a good thing the chair I'm sitting in has arms. If I didn't have something to hold on to, I could have very well been carried up heavenward by my ears