Protoevangelium of James in Eastern Catholicism

[ConstantineTG]

I was reading the bulletin of a Ukrainian Catholic parish and the priest wrote something to discuss the Nativity of the Theotokos. He kept referring to the Protoevangelium of James as a source, especially for the names of Mary’s aprents (Sts. Joachim and Anne), including how the Protoevangelium’s narration of events inspired the Icon.

So what is the status of the Protoevangelium in the Eastern Churches? I know its not canon, but is it widely acceptable? Probably a step or two down from the Biblical books?

 

[Alexander_Roman]

The same status as in the RC Church - not a condemned book at all, good for pious reading and something which, in the EC’s churches’ case, has been used in the liturgical prayers. Alex

 

[ConstantineTG]

The same status as in the RC Church - not a condemned book at all, good for pious reading and something which, in the EC’s churches’ case, has been used in the liturgical prayers. Alex

Thanks! Although I hardly find any references in the Roman Church to the Protoevangelium, except maybe for the names of Sts. Joachim and Anne. References like Joseph being an older man and widower, and James being a step-brother of Jesus, among other things.

 

[prodromos]

Thanks! Although I hardly find any references in the Roman Church to the Protoevangelium, except maybe for the names of Sts. Joachim and Anne. References like Joseph being an older man and widower, and James being a step-brother of Jesus, among other things.

Catholics in the West have really only been exposed to Jerome’s opinions regarding Joseph which are contrary to the Protoevangelium. So widely accepted are Jerome’s opinions that anything which might conflict with them simply don’t get a mention. They have also gained further support from Catholic mystics supposedly receiving revelations from both Joseph (and perhaps Mary) declaring that he too was a virgin.