A 4th-century Christian sect rejecting the perpetual virginity of Mary, mother of Jesus.
Religion: Christianity
Denomination: Early Church
Founded: 4th century
Ended: 5th century
Location: Roman Empire
The Antidicomarianites were a Christian sect that emerged in the 4th century, primarily known for their opposition to the doctrine of the perpetual virginity of Mary, the mother of Jesus, which set them apart from mainstream Christian teachings of the time and led to significant theological debates.
The term “Antidicomarianite” literally means “opposed to Mary,” more specifically, opposed to the veneration and exalted status of Mary that was developing in early Christianity. The central contention of the Antidicomarianites was that after the birth of Jesus, Mary did not remain a virgin but had other children with her husband, Joseph, contradicting the doctrine of the perpetual virginity of Mary, which holds that Mary remained a virgin before, during, and after the birth of Jesus.
The Antidicomarianites based their beliefs on a literal interpretation of certain New Testament passages, such as references to the “brothers and sisters” of Jesus mentioned in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Galatians. They argued that these siblings were the biological children of Mary and Joseph, challenging the emerging orthodox view that these siblings were either Jesus’ cousins or Joseph’s children from a previous marriage.
The origins of the Antidicomarianite sect are not well-documented, but they are believed to have been active primarily in the regions of Arabia and Syria. The sect was one of several early Christian groups that held divergent views on Mary’s role and status. Epiphanius of Salamis, in his work “Panarion” (also known as “Against Heresies”), provides one of the few contemporary accounts of the Antidicomarianites, where he criticizes their beliefs and argues for the orthodox position on Mary’s perpetual virginity, emphasizing its importance for the understanding of Jesus’ divine nature.
The debate over Mary’s virginity was part of the broader Christological discussions of the early Church, which sought to articulate the nature of Jesus Christ and his relationship to God the Father and the Holy Spirit. However, the Antidicomarianite sect eventually faded into obscurity as the doctrine of the perpetual virginity of Mary became a widely accepted belief in both the Eastern and Western branches of Christianity, affirmed by various ecumenical councils and becoming a key element of Christian Mariology.
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