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Collyridianism (orKollyridianism) is an allegedChristian heresy said to have worshipedMary, the mother ofJesus, as agoddess and member of theTrinity.
The existence of the Collyridians is doubtful: they are only mentioned in thePanarion ofEpiphanius. According to Epiphanius, this sect originated inThrace andScythia before spreading toArabia, although origins inSyria orAsia Minor have also been suggested.[1] The name comes from the Greek termcollyris (Greek:κολλυρίς), referring to the "baked cakes" Epiphanius claimed were offerings to Mary.[1][2]
The existence of this sect is seen as doubtful by many scholars. The theologianKarl 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 bySamuel Zwemer[3] andAveril Cameron as reason to doubt that this movement ever existed.[4]
The Quran occasionally refers to Mary being taken as a goddess by Christians inSurah 5 (5:73,5:75,5:116). Some have connected these references to the Collyridian sect.[5]
However, research inQuranic 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 ofshirk (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 andMun'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]
The Remnant magazine published news about the emergence of a religious movement call "Mary-Is-God Catholic Movement" (MIGCM) in thePhilippines that believes that the Virgin Mary is a goddess and It is the thirdHypostasis of theTrinity. 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 AmericanCatholic,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]
...the Quranic accusations that Christians claim Mary as God can be understood as a rhetorical statement
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'.
