Because there are those who dare
to say that Mary [cohabited] with Joseph after she bore the Redeemer, [we
reply], “How would it have been possible for her who was the home of the
indwelling of the Spirit, whom the divine power overshadowed, that she be
joined to a mortal being, and give birth filled with birthpangs, in the image
of the primeval curse?” If May was blessed of women, she would have been
exempt from the curse from the beginning, and from the bearing of children in
birthpangs and curses. It would be impossible therefore to call one who gave birth
with these birthpangs blessed. If the animals in the ark were restrained
because of Noah, it was fitting that the prophetess in whom Emmanuel dwelt
should not turn to marriage. Noah’s animals [were restrained] of necessity, but
she however through her own [free] will. Just as she gave birth purely, so also
she remained holy. (Saint Ephrem's Commentary on Tatian's Diatessaron: An
English Translation of Chester Beatty Syriac MS 709 with Introduction and Notes
II §6 [trans. Carmel McCarthy; Journal of Semitic Studies Supplement 2; Oxford:
Oxford University Press, 1993, 2000], 63)
