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OF OUR LADY SOPHIA 94. Who is our Lady Sophia? She is a high Aeon of the Fullness (PLEROMA), whose name means Wisdom and who is of a feminine character. 95. Is Sophia only known to Gnostics? Although She is known to Gnostics in a special way, Sophia was known to certain Biblical authors who wrote the Wisdom literature (Book of the Wisdom, Ecclesiastes, Ecclesiasticus and Proverbs, and also the Song of Songs), to ancient philosophers such as Philo, and to certain theologians known as Sophiologists. 96. How is Sophia related to Christ? She is His close associate (Sister Aeon or Twin Aeon) in the Fullness (PLEROMA). 97. Is Sophia "the Goddess" as some modern opinions imply? No. Sophia is not a female counterpart to God, but rather She is a great and holy emanated aspect (HYPOSTASIS) of God. 98. Is Sophia then a goddess? If by "a goddess" is meant a deity, or one among numerous deific beings then She may be called one. 99. Has Sophia ever been incarnate in human form? None of the scriptures have intimated that She has. 100. Is there a narrative concerning the events in the story of Sophia after the fashion of the gospel narratives concerning Christ? Yes. It is the book "Faithful Sophia" (PISTIS SOPHIA), although elements of Her story appear in other scriptures also. 101. What is the beginning of the story of Sophia? Sophia's tale begins with Her going forth from Her Aeonial habitat in search of the Light. This going forth results in Her catastrophic fall from on high and into the torment of the lower Chaos. 102. How does the story of Sophia continue? In Her state of anguish and affliction, Sophia gives birth to a hybrid being who becomes the Demiurge. She also exudes the elements from which the Demiurge subsequently fashions the world. 103. What does Sophia do after that? She continues to call out to the Light for help in Her affliction. The Light hears Her and sends forth the Aeon Christ to console Her and to rescue Her. After many efforts, the work of rescue is accomplished and Sophia is restored to Her original dwelling place. 104. Has Sophia then totally departed from the manifest realm? No. Her involvement in creation, especially of humans, and Her other deeds, indicate Her continuing care for Her children who are trapped in the world and in the bodies created by the Demiurge. 105. What are some of Her actions which indicate Her involvement with creation and with humanity? There are many. One is Her rebuking of the Demiurge when he declares that he is the only God and there are no other gods before him. Another is Her gift of the spirit of the higher life to Adam, who was created as a witless cripple by the Demiurge. She also inspired Eve and the serpent in order to facilitate the exit of the first human pair from the fool's paradise where they were confined. 106. Has Sophia continued to aid humanity? Yes. Scripture declares that She "enters holy souls and makes them friends of God". There is much evidence of Her helpful presence among us to this very day. 107. Is Sophia identical with the Virgin Mary? No. Mary "the mother of the Lord according to matter" is an honored figure of the Gnosis, but she is a human woman, while Sophia is celestial. 108. Has Sophia overshadowed any human beings? There are indications that such may have been the case. One example may be Helen in the story of Simon Magus, and another, Mary Magdalene, the chief disciple of Jesus. 109. Does Sophia appear to and communicate with humans? Yes. She has done so to the Russian philosopher Solovyev (late 19th Century) and Her manifestations are not unknown today. 110. Do the contemporary teachings about the Virgin Mary (Mariology) have a relation to Sophia? Yes. Such teachings as those about Mary's Assumption, and her role as joint redeemer (CO-REDEMPTRIX) and mediator between God and humans (MEDIATRIX) can easily be applied to Sophia. 111. Why are the actions and roles of Sophia seemingly confounded with those of the Virgin Mary? Because the Western exoteric church has suppressed and forgotten the figure of Sophia and was left thus with the lone figure of Mary to whom all feminine holiness and mysteries are now ascribed. 112. What is the duty of Gnostics toward Sophia today? To render Her due reverence in prayer, liturgy, meditation, study, thought and action, and also to guard Her true identity in the confusion of tongues wherein She is confused with goddesses, earth mothers, Madonnas black and otherwise, and the politically motivated mythologizing of our era. |
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