Mary, Mother of Jesus

Mary, called the Virgin Mary or Saint Mary, is the mother of Jesus Christ in Christian tradition and theology. Described in the Gospel accounts as a young Jewish woman from Nazareth in Galilee, Mary plays a central role in Christian belief and practice. According to Christian tradition, she was a virgin who became pregnant with Jesus through divine intervention—a belief central to Christian theology. She is venerated in Christian churches, particularly in Catholicism and Orthodoxy, and is called the Mother of God (Theotokos) in theological contexts. Throughout Christian history, Mary has been the subject of extensive theological reflection, artistic depiction, and devotional practice. Numerous churches, cathedrals, and religious works of art are dedicated to her honor. She is the patron saint of numerous causes and locations. The historical Mary remains a subject of scholarly study, with limited historical documentation available outside of the Gospel accounts and later Christian tradition. Her role as mother, her faithfulness, and her suffering have made her a figure of profound spiritual significance across nearly 2,000 years of Christianity. Mary's influence extends far beyond religion into art, literature, architecture, and culture generally.