La maternità e le sue implicazioni nel cristianesimo antico: il modello paradigmatico della madre dei Maccabei

In the Christian tradition, the mother of the seven Maccabean brothers (2 Mac.; 4 Mac.) assumes a relevant place, especially in Christian martyrological literature and in the writings of the fourth and fifth centuries, where her portrait becomes paradigmatic. Her figure acquires a heroic dimension because of the unnatural law that characterizes her story, since contrary to the desire of every mother, her death does not precede the martyrdom of her children. By giving her children as a gift for God, the mother gains access to true motherhood. Truly a mother by virtue, she distinguishes herself from those who are mothers in the flesh. According to Gregory of Nazianzus and John Chrysostom, being truly a mother does not depend on the biological function of childbirth, but on education imparted to children. The main duty of the mother does not consist in generating children, but in educating her children correctly. In such a way, following the example of the Maccabean mother, the Christian mother finds her fulfillment within the family, as uxor et mater fortiter et suaviter, ready to transmit to her children, a gift of God, Christian doctrine and to educate them in virtue. She is a mater educatrix ad gloriam Dei.