Ancient Traditions of the Virgin Mary's Dormition and Assumption

Stephen J. Shoemaker examines more than sixty distinct narratives regarding the death and bodily departure of the Virgin Mary, drawing from texts preserved in nine ancient languages. He argues that these diverse Dormition and Assumption traditions emerged much earlier than previously recognized, dating back to the late third or early fourth century. The analysis integrates liturgical history and archaeological findings from Jerusalem with close readings of various literary accounts. By categorizing these legends into specific families, such as the Palm of the Tree or the Bethlehem traditions, Shoemaker reconstructs the evolution of Marian devotion in late antiquity and provides several first-time English translations of these primary sources.

Scholars of early Christianity and historical theology read this text to understand the development of the cult of the Virgin and the origins of her feast days. The book provides researchers with a detailed map of a complex manuscript tradition that was long neglected. Readers gain a technical understanding of how early Christian communities conceptualized the afterlife of sacred figures. The volume serves as a reference for those investigating non-canonical literature and the intersection of folk piety with official Church doctrine.

Deep and outward-looking; a demanding read.

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