The Protoevangelium of James: Unveiling the Earliest Story of Mary Ever-Virgin

Join the St Shenouda Podcast as we delve into one of the most significant apocryphal texts of the early Church: the Gospel of James, commonly known as the Protoevangelium of James. Dating back to the second century (estimated 140–170 A.D.), this pseudepigraphic work claims to be written by James, the brother of Jesus, and offers an extensive narrative preceding the canonical Gospels.

This infancy gospel focuses primarily on the life of Mary, the mother of Jesus. It details the miraculous birth of Mary to her previously childless parents, Joachim and Anna. Following her birth, Mary is dedicated to God and raised within the Temple from age three to age twelve. The text claims she was ...