The `official' biography of Mary, the mother of Jesus, was a matter of violent argument within the early Christian movement, culminating with the Council of Ephesus in 431, which established the idea of the immaculate conception and Mary's lifelong virginity. In the centuries that followed, she has become a symbol of the beautiful virgin bride, grieving mother, heavenly queen, compassionate intercessor, leader of armies, mistress of the world. The real Mary was none of these things. Jewish factions were so antagonistic towards her that, at her death, they attempted to seize the body and destroy it by fire, a sentence traditionally reserved for those found guilty of cultic prostitution and incest.
- ISBN10 0753813378
- ISBN13 9780753813379
- Publish Date 31 December 2010 (first published 15 November 2001)
- Publish Status Cancelled
- Publish Country GB
- Publisher Orion Publishing Co
- Imprint Phoenix (an Imprint of The Orion Publishing Group Ltd )
- Edition New edition
- Format Paperback
- Pages 256
- Language English