How did Mary's earthly life end?
a passage states it a passage rules it out
Common ground
These are affirmed by more than one position, so a passage saying only this counts for none of them.
- Mary's earthly life came to an end
- Mary is honoured in heaven
- Mary's 'falling asleep' named without saying what happened to her body (fits all three)
Died and was buried; nothing further held
What sets it apart: The passage says Mary's body lies in the grave or awaits the general resurrection, or that her end is unknown.
Formally defined: No confession defines it
No early passage in the library states it yet.
Died, then taken bodily to heaven (Dormition)
Orthodoxin falling asleep you did not forsake the world, O Theotokos.Troparion and Kontakion of the Dormition (Orthodox Church in America)
What sets it apart: The passage says Mary died and that afterwards her body did not remain in the tomb, or that she was raised.
Formally defined: Liturgical feast of the Dormition (from the 6th century); not defined as dogma
No early passage in the library states it yet.
Assumed body and soul (Catholic dogma)
Catholicthat the Immaculate Mother of God, the ever Virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory.Pius XII, Munificentissimus Deus, 44 (1950)
What sets it apart: The passage says Mary was taken body and soul into heaven.
Formally defined: Pius XII, Munificentissimus Deus (1950)
No early passage in the library states it yet.
Every deciding passage, earliest first
- No early passage decides between these positions yet.