Collyridianism
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Collyridianism (or Kollyridianism) is an alleged Christian heresy said to have worshiped Mary, the mother of Jesus, as a goddess and member of the Trinity.
The existence of the Collyridians is doubtful: they are only mentioned in the Panarion of Epiphanius. According to Epiphanius, this sect originated in Thrace and Scythia before spreading to Arabia, although origins in Syria or Asia Minor have also been suggested.[1] The name comes from the Greek term collyris (Greek: kolluris), referring to the "baked cakes" Epiphanius claimed were offerings to Mary.[1][2]
Existence
[edit]The existence of this sect is seen as doubtful by many scholars. The theologian Karl Gerok disputed the existence of the Collyridians, describing it as improbable that a sect composed only of women could have lasted for as long as described by Epiphanius.[3] Likewise, the problem with the only source for the existence of this sect being a heresiographical tractate by Epiphanius has been seen by Samuel Zwemer[3] and Averil Cameron as reason to doubt that this movement ever existed.[4]
In the Quran
[edit]The Quran occasionally refers to Mary being taken as a goddess by Christians in Surah 5 (5:73, 5:75, 5:116). Some have connected these references to the Collyridian sect.[5]
However, research in Quranic studies suggests that "the Quranic accusations that Christians claim Mary as God can be understood as a rhetorical statement."[6][7] For example, David Thomas states that verse 5:116 need not be seen as describing actually professed beliefs but rather as giving examples of shirk (claiming divinity for beings other than God) and a "warning against excessive devotion to Jesus and extravagant veneration of Mary, a reminder linked to the central theme of the Qur'an that there is only one God and He alone is to be worshipped."[5] Similarly, Gabriel Said Reynolds, Sidney Griffith and Mun'im Sirry argue that the verse is to be understood as a rhetorical statement to warn against the dangers of deifying Jesus or Mary.[8][9]
Collyridianism in the present
[edit]The Remnant magazine published news about the emergence of a religious movement call "Mary-Is-God Catholic Movement" (MIGCM) in the Philippines that believes that the Virgin Mary is a goddess and It is the third Hypostasis of the Trinity. The magazine described this movement as a revival of a sect Collyridianism.[10] The Times reported that the founder of this group is called "Dominic Sanchez Falar".[11]Dayton University published an article condemning this religious group.[12]
Patrick Madrid, an American Catholic, author, pointed out that there are various modern forms of Collyridianism, noting that some people exaggerate their focus on Mary to the point of excluding or almost excluding Jesus, which he considers a sin bordering on idolatry. He also mentioned that there is a feminist movement that worships the Mother Goddess and portrays God in feminine terms[13]
A recent movement has been observed reviving the worship of deities, including the view of Mary as a goddess.[14]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Saint Epiphanius (2013) [c. 375]. The Panarion of Epiphanius of Salamis: De fide. Books II and III. Translated by Williams, Frank. Leiden: Brill. p. 637. ISBN 978-9004228412.
- ^ Carroll, Michael P. (1992). The Cult of the Virgin Mary: Psychological Origins. Princeton University Press. p. 43.
- ^ a b Block, Corrie (2013). The Qur'an in Christian-Muslim Dialogue: Historical and Modern Interpretations. Routledge. p. 186.
- ^ Cameron, Averil (2004), "The Cult of the Virgin in Late Antiquity: Religious Development and Myth-Making", Studies in Church History, 39: 1-21, doi:10.1017/S0424208400014959, S2CID 163960138, at 6-7.
- ^ a b Thomas, David (2006). "Trinity". Encyclopedia of the Qur'an: Volume 5. Brill. p. 370.
- ^ Neuwirth, Angelika; Sells, Michael. Qur'anic Studies Today. p. 302.
...the Quranic accusations that Christians claim Mary as God can be understood as a rhetorical statement
- ^ Sirry, Mun'im (2014). Scriptural Polemics: The Qur'an and Other Religions. Oxford University Press. p. 47.
- ^ Sirry, Mun'im (2014). Scriptural Polemics: The Qur'an and Other Religions. Oxford University Press. pp. 47 ff.
In more recent scholarship of the Quran, as represented by the works of Hawting, Sidney Griffith and Gabriel Reynolds, there is a shift from the heretical explanation to the emphasis on the rhetorical language of the Quran. When the Quran states that God is Jesus the son of Mary... it should be understood as... statements. Griffith states, 'the Quran's seeming missstatement, rhetorically speaking, should therefore not thought to be a mistake, but rather... a caricature, the purpose of which is to in Islamic terms highlight the absurdity and wrongness of christian belief, from an islamic perspective.' [...] Reynolds persuasively arguments that 'in passages involving Christianity in the Quran, we should look for the Quran's creative use of rhetoric and not for the influence of Christian heretics'.
- ^ Neuwirth, Angelika; Sells, Michael Anthony (2016). Qur'anic Studies Today. Routledge. p. 300-304. ISBN 978-1-138-18195-3.
- ^ "Catholic News Watch". www.remnantnewspaper.com. Retrieved 2025-10-23.
- ^ Caldwell, By Simon (2006-02-11). "Appearances can be downright deceptive". www.thetimes.com. Retrieved 2025-10-23.
- ^ "Mary-is-God-Catholic-Movement Condemned : University of Dayton, Ohio". udayton.edu. Archived from the original on 2024-05-19. Retrieved 2025-11-08.
- ^ Madrid, Patrick. "Collyridianism". Catholic Answers. Retrieved 2025-11-02.
- ^ Cornelius, Keridwen (2025-04-30). "Why Are People Worshipping the Virgin Mary as a Goddess?". SAPIENS. Retrieved 2025-11-17.
