Mary in Early Christian Faith and Devotion

“Mary in Early Christian Faith and Devotion is almost the only recent attempt at any¬thing like a comprehensive study of the development of the cult of the Virgin in late antiquity. . . . [Shoemaker] brings together more than twenty years of studies . . . to argue for a new version of how Mary emerged in these early centuries as a focus for Christian devotion.”—Rachel Fulton Brown, First Things

“Shoemaker wears his formidable learning lightly and presents his material in a fresh, engaging manner that invites rather than intimidates . . . Shoemaker has given an excellent example of how to examine historical issues in antiquity afresh.”—Sr. Maria del Fiat Miola, Ancient Jew Review

"This work furthers the field and is a must-read for graduate students and professors interested in the cult of the Virgin Mary and the origins of piety and devotion to her."—Paul Brazinski, Reading Religion

“Shoemaker’s book is very learned, yet is readable and entertaining. It deserves a wide readership and should be of interest to many outside the narrow field of Early Christian Studies.”—Carole M. Cusack, Religion

“This original book will inform the narrative of the development of Marian devotion for generations to come.”—Sheryl A. Kujawa-Holbrook, Anglican and Episcopal History

“Well-documented and scholarly . . . [Shoemaker] traces the complex historical process that saw the Mary of the Bible become the Mary of manifold devotions in the first five centuries of the Christian era . . . Fascinating.”—Leonardo De Chirico, Credo Magazine