Saint Siricus and Saint Celestine I – Ever Virgin and Theotokos (Pontifical Doctrine IV, nos. 15-16)

The popes Saint Siricus (384-398) and Saint Celestine I (422-432) represent the pontifical consolidation of doctrines regarding Mary’s perpetual virginity and her divine motherhood, immediately before and during the preparation for the Council of Ephesus (431).

**Collection:** Doctrina Pontificia IV: Marian Documents, nn. 15-16

**Popes:** Saint Siricus (384-398) | Saint Celestine I (422-432)

**Council:** Roman Council of 430 (Celestine)

**Topic:** Perpetual virginity; Divine motherhood

## Saint Siricus (384-398), n. 15: Mary Ever Virgin

Saint Siricus is the first pope to use the technical formula *semper Virgo* (ever Virgin) for Mary, in his letter to Bishop Anicius of Thessaloniki (392). Responding to errors that claimed Mary had other children after Jesus, Siricus asserts categorically:

> **”For she does not know corruption, that generation which was conceived by the operation of the Holy Spirit. Indeed, the Lord Jesus came forth from his mother’s womb with the seal of virginity inviolate.”**

Siricus also rejects the interpretation that the “brothers of the Lord” (Mt 12:46) were Mary’s children: they are, according to him, either Joseph’s children from a previous marriage or Jesus’ cousins according to Hebrew usage.

## Saint Celestine I (422-432), n. 16: Mary, Virgin Mother of God

Celestine I presided over the Roman Council of 430, which prepared for the Council of Ephesus. He strongly supported Saint Cyril of Alexandria against Nestorius, who refused to call Mary *Theotokos*. Document n. 16 establishes the Roman position:

> **”Mary, the virgin, is Mother of God, because our Lord Jesus Christ, who was born of her, is true God.”**

Celestine sent Saint Cyril as his legate to Ephesus with full powers to act on behalf of Rome. Cyril would preside over the Council that defined Mary as *Theotokos*.

## Historical Significance

These two popes demonstrate that the doctrine of Mary’s perpetual virginity and her divine motherhood was already a firmly established pontifical teaching before the Council of Ephesus. The Council of 431 did not invent these doctrines; it solemnly proclaimed what apostolic faith had already professed, with the explicit backing of popes Siricus and Celestine.

## Further Reading

Explore Mariology, Lumen Gentium cap. VIII, and Postgraduate Mariology.

See also: Theotokos: What Does ‘Mother of God’ Mean and Why Is It Dogma?

Deepen your understanding of Mary’s Perpetual Virginity.