15 Days for Panagia {day 4}
I am going to skip ahead a bit because there is such an abundance of information concerning the Theotokos that it could not possibly all fit into 15 short days. I am just retelling some of my personal favorite stories from her life, along with some answers to questions some of you have asked.
Just to be clear again, none of the information posted is of my opinion. I am not worthy to give such opinions, but it is all taken from the book I mentioned, as well as several homilies by various priests of the Orthodox Church.
The midwife then went forth out of the cave and met Salome, another midwife, to whom Zelomi exlaimed, "Salome, I have a strange sight to relate to thee: a virgin hath brought forth, a thing which nature does not admit!"The aged Salome was a kinswoman of Mary. Salome was Mary's mother's sister's daughter; hence she was Mary's first cousin. When she beheld the most holy Virgin in the shepherd's cave, she did not believe that a virgin brought forth, to which she remarked, "As the Lord my God liveth, unless I receive proof of this matter, I will not believe that a virgin hath brought forth." When Salome stretched forth her hand to the most holy Virgin's body to examine it, after the manner of a midwife, Salome then believed. However, her hand was withered and she groaned bitterly, for she was punished for her impudence and unbelief.
Greatly lamenting, Salome made a supplication unto the Lord, until an angel stood by her and instructerd her to reach forth her hand to the child and to carry Him. Straightway, her hand was restored and Salome was filled with joy.
I had read this story years ago and did not fully understand it until a priest explained it to me. I thought that Salome simply didn't believe the Panagia was a virgin when she conceived. I also always assumed that she gave birth the natural way. However, this is not what happened. She did not give birth the traditional way. Christ was supernaturally born without "breaking her seal of virginity." So, this is why Salome wanted to examine her herself. Any mother knows there are natural signs that are quite obvious when a woman has just given birth. When Salome examined her, the Theotokos showed no such sign.
