Happy Father's Day to the OG

The Tradition (which can be found in written form in the Protoevangelium of James https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gospel_of_James) is that Mary was a consecrated Temple virgin from her infancy and had taken vows of lifelong celibacy prior to marriage. This is actually a feast day in Eastern Christian Churches: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presentation_of_Mary

The evidence of this practice can be found in Exodus 38:8 which mentions women who “watch (צָבָא) at the door of the tabernacle”, 1 Samuel 2:22, and of course

And the virgins also that were shut up, came forth, some to {High Priest} Onias, and some to the walls, and others looked out of the windows. And all holding up their hands towards heaven, made supplication. (2 Macc 3:19-20)

This is further confirmed in the Mishnah:

“The veil of the Temple was a palm-length in width. It was woven with seventy-two smooth stitches each made of twenty-four threads. The length was of forty cubits and the width of twenty cubits. Eighty-two virgins wove it. Two veils were made each year and three hundred priests were needed to carry it to the pool” (Mishna Shekalim 8, 5-6).

So fun fact for our !Christians who think it's a weird practice, Jews had cloistered consecrated virgins in the Temple. Nuns are a Biblical tradition, and the lifelong virginity of Mary is scriptural as well. The word used for the "brothers" of Christ (adelphoi) is also used for cousins in the Septuagint, and the oft mentioned "Mary was a virgin --until-- Christ was born" citation (heos hou) is similarly found in 2 Samuel 6:23

And Michal the daughter of Saul had no child to (until) the day of her death.

All generations shall call her Blessed. Respect the Mother of God and the Holy Family.

!historychads this isn't just theology it's history