Description
Mary (from Greek Μαρία), Miriam (from Hebrew מרים), or Maryam (from Arabic مريم) is the mother of Jesus in the New Testament and the Quran. The origin of the name is most likely Egyptian: Meriam, from Meri-Amun (meaning "the Beloved of -the god- Amun"). According to Christian tradition, she is the daughter of Joachim and Anna; in the Quran, Imran is mentioned as her father. For Catholics, she is the most important saint. In the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church, Mary, as the Mother of God, plays an important role in the life of faith. In the Orthodox Church, the usual term for Mary is Mother of God, not Maria. There is even an entire theological discipline specifically dedicated to her: Mariology. Various liturgical feasts and solemnities are celebrated in her honor.
