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The Virgin and the Devil: the Role of the Virgin Mary in the Theophilus Legend and its Spanish and Portuguese Variants
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 21 March 2016
Extract
The story of Theophilus is one of the oldest and most widespread Marian miracles in Christian literature. Theophilus is said to have been a sixth-century priest of Adana in Cilicia, removed from office by a new bishop. Eager to regain his position, Theophilus went to a Jew known for diabolical practices and through him made a written pact with the Devil, sealed with a ring. Theophilus received back his lost status but then began to repent and, through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, finally won the document from the Devil. Three days later he died.
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- Copyright © Ecclesiastical History Society 2004
References
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27 Ibid., 237; de São João, ‘A vida’, 142-4.
28 MNS, no.24, v.746.
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