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Archbishop Averkii, on the Woman of Revelation 12
I shouldn’t have to put a disclaimer like this, but since people sometimes misunderstand the purpose of a quotation, I will simply bluntly say that I’m not posting this as an endorsement of the work. Averky Taushev of Syracuse, Archbishop of Jordanville, (Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia) (1906-1976), wrote a commentary on Revelation. The following…
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The Woman of Revelation 12 cannot possibly be Mary
People sometimes notice that the woman of Revelation 12 has a child who will rule the nation with a rod of iron, and from that they assume that the woman is Mary, since ruling the nations with a rod of iron is something ascribed to Christ. However, the woman of Revelation 12 cannot possibly be…
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Earliest Interpretations of Revelation 12 and the Woman of Revelation 12
The four earliest (that I could find so far) interpretations of Revelation 12 either state or imply that the woman of Revelation 12 is not Mary. Irenaeus, for example, treats the dragon’s attack as a still-future event, implying that the woman is not Mary. Hippolytus, Methodius, and Victorinus are more explicit in identifying the woman…
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Beatus of Liebana (d. 798) the Ark of Revelation 11 and the Woman of Revelation 12
M.S. O’Brien has provided an impressive translation of the “Commentary on the Apocalypse,” by Beatus of Liebana (d. 798). O’Brien’s work is available in two sections as a Kindle book. Maureen (if I understand her post here correctly) has also helpfully posted the translation in snippets to a blog. For the purpose of discussing the…
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Autpurt Ambrose (d. 784) on the Ark of Revelation 11:19 and the Woman of Revelation 12:1 and On the Bodily Assumption
Ambrosius Autpertus, in Corpus Christianorum, Continuatio Mediavalis (CCCM) vol. XXVII (Ambrosius Autpertus, part 1), Expositions in Apocalypse, Books I-V From the preface: Again, John tells of having seen a woman clothed with the sun in the sky, and there she gave birth. But the dragon stood before her, to devour her child; however, the child…
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Primasius on the Woman of Revelation 12, the Ark of the Covenant, and the alleged Triadic Declarations
Primasius, Bishop of Hadrumetum (circa A.D. 551), Commentary on the Apocalypse Book I, Chapter I, at Rev. 1:4 Grace to you and peace from God, who is, who was, and who is to come, the Almighty. Even though according to the apostle “God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself,” or as He Himself…
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Methodius of Olympus on the Woman of Revelation 12
Methodius (d. 312), The Symposium aka the Banquet of the Ten Virgins, Discourse 8, Chapters 4-8: Chapter 4. Now, then, O Virgins, daughters of undefiled temperance, let us strive for a life of blessedness and the kingdom of heaven. And unite with those before you in an earnest desire for the same glory of chastity,…
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Victorinus of Pettau on the Ark of Revelation 11 and the Woman of Revelation 12
Victorinus of Pettau (d. 303), Commentary on the Apocalypse, at Revelation 11:19 and 12:1 (consecutive verses): 11:19. And the temple of God was opened which is in heaven. The temple opened is a manifestation of our Lord. For the temple of God is the Son, as He Himself says: Destroy this temple, and in three…
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Hippolytus on the Woman of Revelation of 12
Hippolytus of Rome (d. 235), On Christ and Antichrist, Sections 61-62, states: 60. Now, concerning the tribulation of the persecution which is to fall upon the Church from the adversary, John also speaks thus: And I saw a great and wondrous sign in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her…