Sayings of the Fathers on the Holy Theotokos

by Serapion of Thmuis

With great joy and enthusiasm, we present to you The Holy Theotokos, part of the Treasures of the Fathers of the Church series. This book contains excerpts from patristic writings related to the Holy Virgin Mary. In addition, the book features several theological articles related to the place and faith of the Holy Theotokos in the Orthodox Church.

179 pages, Paperback

Published June 27, 2017

About the author

"Serapion was Bishop of Thmuis in the Nile delta from ca. 339 and died after 360 AD. A close friend and protégé of St Athanasius, he was in his early life a monk and had been a companion of St Antony who had bequeathed one of his two sheepskin cloaks to him. He was sent by Athanasius on a difficult mission to the Emperor Constantius II and had addressed to him a series of letters on the divinity of the Holy Ghost. Serapion composed some literary works (including a treatise against the Manichees) and was probably responsible for compiling the sacramentary which bears his name."
-- Wikipedia

Reviews

[Aaron White · Rating 3 out of 5]

A wide-ranging compilation from the Orthodox Coptic Church in Egypt detailing the various titles and characteristics of Mary, Theotokos (God-Bearer). There were many things that were beautiful and helpful in this book, many interpretations of Scriptures that related to the person of Mary that I had never before considered. It did help my devotional life to pray alongside her! But there was also something in here I didn’t especially like, and that was the seeming removal from some of the writers of her humanity. She is honoured to such a degree and described at times with so many superlatives that one forgets she was a real person, flesh and blood, a girl at the time of the Annunciation, a pained mother at the time of the Crucifixion. I would like to retain the honour and blessing without somehow losing the humanity

[Steve Ronald · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Great Collection

A great collection, though the English and translations are lacking at times.
It should be noted this a book for the Coptic Orthodox Church, so liturgical discussion, troparions, etc, in the introductions are based on that tradition. Also, to readers of Caledonian persuasion, Severus of Antioch makes an appearance. You are warned!
All in all, again, a great collection.