Popes of the 5th-6th centuries – Mary, Mother of God and Ever Virgin (Pontifical Doctrine IV, nn. 30-43)
In the sixth and seventh centuries, popes Gelasius I, Symmachus, John II, Vigilius, and Honorius I continued to defend and consolidate the doctrine of Ephesus regarding Mary as Mother of God (Theotokos) and ever-virgin (semper Virgo), confronting new Christological and Monophysite challenges.
Collection: Doctrina Pontificia IV: Marian Documents, nn. 30-43
Popes: Gelasius I | Symmachus | John II | Vigilius | Honorius I
Period: 5th-7th Centuries (492-638)
Themes: Mary’s consent, perpetual virginity, divine motherhood
St. Gelasius I (492-496), n. 30: Mary’s Consent
Gelasius I develops a theme that will be central to medieval Mariology: Mary’s consent in the Annunciation as a condition of the Incarnation. Mary was not a passive instrument; the Word awaited her “yes.” This text anticipates great medieval reflections on Mary’s active role in the Incarnation (Bernard, Thomas, Bonaventure).
“The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you… not against your will but through your willing, the mystery of the Incarnation is fulfilled.”
Symmachus (498-514), n. 31: Ever-Virgin and Mother of God
Pope Symmachus, in the midst of theological disputes with the East, reaffirms against Monophysites that Mary is truly Mother of God (vere Theotokos) and ever-virgin, never having known a man.
John II (533-535), n. 32: Virgin Mary, True Mother of God
John II, the first pope to officially use the name “John” (previously changing his name upon election), in his document on Mary emphasizes that her divinity is true (vere Mater Dei), not merely metaphorical or functional, responding to lingering Nestorian interpretations.
Vigilius (537-555), n. 33: True Mother of Jesus Christ
Pope Vigilius, in a period of great political and theological turmoil (including the “Three Chapters” controversy), upholds the Ephesian doctrine: Mary is vera madre di Gesù Cristo, truly the Mother of Jesus Christ, who is true God and true man.
Honorius I (625-638), nn. 37-43: Ever-Virgin and Mother of God
Pope Honorius I, the most prolific of this section, wrote seven documents (nn. 37-43) on divine motherhood and perpetual virginity. His writings to the Patriarch of Constantinople are particularly rich in Mariology. Honorius was the first pope to use the phrase “plena gratia” (fully gracious) for Mary, in line with Luke 1:28, anticipating the theology of the Immaculate Conception defined in 1854.
Holy virgin and full of grace, who conceived and gave birth to the Son of our God without corruption, always remained in every purity and holiness.
Additional Reading
Explore Mariology, the Lumen Gentium Chapter VIII, Redemptoris Mater, and the Master’s Program in Mariology.
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