Helvidius

Helvidius (sometimes Helvetius) was the author of a work written prior to 383 against the belief in the perpetual virginity of Mary. Helvidius maintained that the biblical mention of "sisters" and "brothers" of the Lord constitutes solid evidence that Mary had normal marital relations with Joseph and additional children after the miraculous conception and birth of Jesus. He supported his opinion by the writings of Tertullian and Victorinus.

Jerome, in reply, wrote a treatise known under the title The Perpetual Virginity of Blessed Mary,^[1] where he vigorously takes the other side, and argues that the "sisters" and "brothers" spoken of were either step-brothers, children of Joseph by a former marriage (cf. Protoevangelium of James), or first cousins, children of Mary's relative/relation/kinswoman^[2] Elizabeth and siblings of John the Baptist. When Jerome wrote this treatise both he and Helvidius were in Rome, and Damasus was Roman bishop. The only contemporary notice preserved of Helvidius is contained in Jerome's treatise.

See also

• Antidicomarianites
• Bonosians
• Jovinian

References

1. Jerome. "The Perpetual Virginity of Mary". Church fathers. New advent.
2. "Search, Read, Study the Bible in Many Languages". Bible Hub. Retrieved 2015-10-19.

External links

• Schaff, Philip, History of the Christian Church, III: Nicene and Post-Nicene Christianity. A.D. 311–600, The Christian classics ethereal library, § 47. Helvidius, Vigilantius, and Aerius.
• Jerome, Against Helvidius: The Perpetual Virginity of Blessed Mary, CIN.