Maria | Gottesmutter

● Orthodox Remembrance Day: December 26
● Name means: the beautiful/the bitter/the beloved by God (Aramaic)
● Mother of Jesus
● Patroness: the priest, midwives, innkeepers, cooks; against thunderstorms and lightning;
in all needs; against diseases in general
● Attributes: with child, on crescent moon, on globe, 7 swords, star wreath, grapes,
swallow
● Born around 22 B.C. in Jerusalem or in Nazareth, Israel
● Died August 15, 48 in Jerusalem, Israel or in Ephesus
There is nothing in the Bible about Mary’s descent and youth; the family trees for Jesus in the
Gospels of Matthew and Luke want to show Jesus’ descent from Joseph and thus from the
family of David. Mary is only reported to be at home in Nazareth, engaged to Joseph and related
to Elizabeth; presumably she came from a priestly family, since Elizabeth was married to the
priest Zacharias. The source for Mary’s life is therefore not only the biblical Gospels, but above
all apocryphal writings, especially the so-called Gospel of James.
Mary is considered an example of faith and a mediator and intercessor, so she is the one praised
among all women (Luke 1:42).