““At the end of the second century, St. Irenaeus, a disciple of Polycarp, already pointed out Mary’s contribution to the work of salvation. He understood the value of Mary’s consent at the time of the Annunciation, recognizing in the Virgin of Nazareth’s obedience to and faith in the angel’s message the perfect antithesis of Eve’s disobedience and disbelief, with a beneficial effect on humanity’s destiny.””
![“Mary, having a man betrothed [to her], and being nevertheless a virgin, by yielding obedience, become the cause of salvation, both to herself and the whole human race.” quote by The Church Fathers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3f5/the-church-fathers-1438_human-race_mary-having-a-man-betrothed-to-her-and-b_123405.jpg)
