Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
Mary as the Early Christians Knew Her  By  cover art

Mary as the Early Christians Knew Her

By: Frederica Mathewes-Green
Narrated by: Frederica Mathewes-Green
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $14.95

Buy for $14.95

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

Mary is the flower of femininity to some, a woman of power to others. She has been seen as a paragon of obedience as well as an instrument of liberation. Some have piled her status so high that it rivals that of her Son. Other do their best to ignore her. Behind all of those images is a girl who grew up to be the mother of Christ.

How did the first Christians view Mary? What did they believe about her early life, her childhood and marriage to Joseph, before the Annunciation? Frederica Mathewes-Green presents three of the earliest texts about Mary - a story, a prayer, and a hymn - and provides new translations and commentary. As we see Mary the way the early Christians did, we gain new and sometimes startling insights.

©2007 Frederica Mathewes-Green (P)2017 Frederica Mathewes-Green

What listeners say about Mary as the Early Christians Knew Her

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    78
  • 4 Stars
    7
  • 3 Stars
    3
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    71
  • 4 Stars
    7
  • 3 Stars
    1
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    69
  • 4 Stars
    6
  • 3 Stars
    4
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Fire

Absolute flames! So good, Frederick really opens the heart to our mother, and helps us have a fuller picture of St Mary as a person.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Historical Mary

This was a good perusal of how Mary was viewed in early history. Although o liked it I wish it had more about Mary’s life as a young girl. I note it wouldn’t be Biblical but I would like to know more about house Mary lived day to day.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

great walk thru of protoevangelium of James,

This is a must for those who want understand the early church. I recommend this.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

The narratives and subsequent explanations- awesome

Awesome book it reminds me of us of Mary’s part and contributions to our salvation as well as Joseph her husband it is much to learn from them specially in this century

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
  • L
  • 12-07-22

Wonderful

Frederica has been a very influential voice in my decision to join the Orthodox Church. This book does not disappoint in content or narration.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Insightful and delightful

A wonderful book that delves deeply into the early church understanding of Mary and her place in Christian worship.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
  • C
  • 10-20-23

Helpful reflections

Very helpful reflections in bringing discernment as to how to understand certain phrases in the hymns. Thankful for the clarification and insight as I sing these hymns during Liturgy!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Loved it

I will need to listen to again as well as make notes in the paperback. Normally, I don’t like it when authors narrate their books but I felt like Frederica Mathews-Green was here reading it to me. She has a very calming voice. I want to lovingly honor and respect The Virgin Mary without worshiping her. I have always held Mary at arms length so this was very helpful to me.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

13 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

What joy to experience the love of early Christians for Christ’s Mother

I am so grateful that God has declared these truths and has enlightened the author to share such a moving testament of faith. I have choked up and have felt such pure joy while listening to a heartfelt narration and knowing the Mother of Christ. Thank you.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Insightful and illuminating

This book takes the time to explain many things about Mary which were assumed or taken for granted in my own Byzantine Catholic upbringing. I enjoyed learning and being able to say “Oh, so that’s where it comes from!”
Mathewes-Green is very understanding of common objections against the veneration of Mary, and responds to them gently, not defensively.
If you’re curious to understand the roots of your own Marian devotion better, or if you’re confused as to why such devotion exists at all, then I think you’ll find this book well worth a listen.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!