Apocryphal collection · Infancy of Jesus · 2 min read
Gospel of the Nativity of Mary
The Carolingian version of Mary's childhood
The full text of this study is in Portuguese; the summary, key points and official view are in English.
Around the 9th century, a Latin author rewrote the first part of Pseudo-Matthew, removing the strangest episodes and giving the text a more sober and devout tone. The result, called De Nativitate Mariae, tells the story of Joachim and Anne, the angel’s announcement, Mary’s childhood in the Temple and her marriage to Joseph. It was falsely attributed to Saint Jerome and was therefore respected in the Middle Ages; the Golden Legend, by Jacobus de Voragine, used it as a source.
Key points
- Language: Latin; Carolingian period (c. 9th century).
- An abridged revision of Pseudo-Matthew.
- It circulated with forged letters attributed to Jerome.
- Source of the Golden Legend (13th century).
- It helped spread in the West the Marian feasts of the Nativity and the Presentation.
What scholars say
It is a medieval devotional work, produced in the Carolingian monastic world. Its importance lies in its influence on the liturgy, preaching and art of medieval Europe.
Keep investigating
- Gospel of Pseudo-Matthew The bending palm tree, the dragons, and the ox and donkey of the manger
- Protoevangelium of James The life of Mary and the moment time stood still
Other languages: Português · Español
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