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Unfallen Nature and Mary by ST Ephrem

The document explores the theological perspective of St. Ephrem the Syrian regarding Christ's assumption of unfallen human nature and its implications for the Virgin Mary's purity. It asserts that Christ took His flesh from Mary, who was sanctified and healed by divine grace, making her a pure vessel for the Incarnation. Ultimately, it concludes that Mary's purity was essential for Christ to assume a sinless humanity while still being fully human.

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26 views2 pages

Unfallen Nature and Mary by ST Ephrem

The document explores the theological perspective of St. Ephrem the Syrian regarding Christ's assumption of unfallen human nature and its implications for the Virgin Mary's purity. It asserts that Christ took His flesh from Mary, who was sanctified and healed by divine grace, making her a pure vessel for the Incarnation. Ultimately, it concludes that Mary's purity was essential for Christ to assume a sinless humanity while still being fully human.

Uploaded by

f6081321
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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The Assumption of Unfallen Human

Nature and the Purity of the Virgin


Mary
This document offers a theological reflection based on the writings of St. Ephrem the
Syrian, exploring the doctrine that Christ assumed unfallen human nature and how this
relates to the sanctity and purity of the Virgin Mary.

1. Christ Assumed Unfallen Human Nature


St. Ephrem teaches that Christ, in the Incarnation, did not assume fallen or passion-laden
humanity. Instead, He clothed Himself with 'a healthy nature.' This nature, though it had
been wounded in humanity, was assumed in its pure form by Christ so that it might be
restored. Christ was sinless, and His humanity was free of corruption or inherited
passions.

2. Christ Took His Flesh from the Virgin Mary


The Incarnation was not symbolic or external but real. Christ took on flesh truly from the
Virgin Mary. St. Ephrem affirms this explicitly: 'He came down into the combat and, in
the flesh which He had received from a woman, conquered the world.' Thus, His human
nature was derived from her.

3. Mary Must Be a Fit and Pure Vessel


If Christ's humanity is unfallen and He took that humanity from Mary, then logically
Mary herself must have been made a pure and sanctified vessel. Though descended from
Adam, Mary was not left in the corruption of the fall. Instead, she was healed, sanctified,
and purified by divine grace — not by her own merit, but by God's election and
preparation.

4. Mary as Healed Humanity


St. Ephrem frequently praises Mary in exalted language, calling her 'the pure dove,' 'more
holy than the cherubim,' and saying, 'There is no blemish in you, nor any stain upon your
Mother' (Hymns on the Nativity). This reflects the view that Mary is humanity as it was
meant to be: healed, sanctified, and restored — not by being outside of Adam’s race, but
by being the first fruit of redemption.
5. Conclusion
Therefore, since Christ assumed unfallen, sinless human nature, and since He received
that nature from Mary, it follows that Mary must have been purified and sanctified by
grace in preparation for the Incarnation. While she was biologically from Adam, she was
spiritually and morally made a new Eve — healed and preserved — so that Christ could
assume a humanity free from sin, yet fully real and human.

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