Helvidius

{{Short description|4th century Roman theologian}}

{{For|the Stoic philosopher|Helvidius Priscus}}

Helvidius (sometimes Helvetius) was the author of a work written prior to 383 against the belief in the perpetual virginity of Mary. Helvidius maintained that the biblical mention of "sisters" and "brothers" of the Lord constitutes solid evidence that Mary had normal marital relations with Joseph and additional children after the miraculous conception and birth of Jesus. He supported his opinion by the writings of Tertullian and Victorinus.{{cite web|title= Brothers of Jesus |url= https://www.biblicaltraining.org/library/brothers-jesus |website= Biblical Training |location= Spokane, WA |accessdate= 2016-08-31}} Helvidius is sometimes seen as an early proto-protestant, along with Vigiliantius, Jovinian and Aerius of Sebaste.{{Cite web|title=Philip Schaff: History of the Christian Church, Volume III: Nicene and Post-Nicene Christianity. A.D. 311-600 - Christian Classics Ethereal Library|url=https://ccel.org/ccel/schaff/hcc3/hcc3.iii.vii.xix.html|access-date=2021-12-21|website=ccel.org}}

Jerome, in reply, wrote a treatise known under the title The Perpetual Virginity of Blessed Mary,{{citation |chapter= The Perpetual Virginity of Blessed Mary - Against Helvidius |author= Jerome |author-link= Jerome |chapter-url=http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/3007.htm |others= Translated by W.H. Fremantle, G. Lewis and W.G. Martley |title= Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series | volume = 6 |editor1-first =Philip | editor1-last = Schaff |editor2-first =Henry | editor2-last = Wace |editor3-first = Kevin | editor3-last = Knight |location= Buffalo, NY |publisher= Christian Literature Publishing Co. | via = New Advent | orig-year= c. 383}} where he vigorously takes the other side, and argues that the "sisters" and "brothers" spoken of were either step-brothers, children of Joseph by a former marriage (cf. Protoevangelium of James), or first cousins, children of Mary's relative/relation/kinswoman{{Cite web |title = Search, Read, Study the Bible in Many Languages |url = http://www.biblehub.com/ |website = Bible Hub |accessdate = 2015-10-19}} Elizabeth and siblings of John the Baptist. When Jerome wrote this treatise both he and Helvidius were in Rome, and Damasus was Bishop of Rome.

Helvidius also accused Jerome of translating the Vulgate from corrupt Greek manuscripts.Les Garret, 1982. Which Bible Can We Trust? Christian Centre Press, p. 61 All the works of Helvidius are lost; we know some things about his tract against the belief in the perpetual virginity of Mary only through Jerome's treatise written in response to it.{{cite web |title= Brothers of Jesus |url= https://www.biblicaltraining.org/library/brothers-jesus |website= BiblicalTraining |location= Spokane, WA |accessdate= 2016-08-31 |quote= The works of Helvidius have not survived. In his reply to Helvidius, however, Jerome makes many references to Helvidius' ideas.}}

Helvidius considered the state of being married as an honor and argued against the high glorification of celibacy, which Jerome attacked.{{Cite web|title=Philip Schaff: History of the Christian Church, Volume III: Nicene and Post-Nicene Christianity. A.D. 311-600 - Christian Classics Ethereal Library|url=https://ccel.org/ccel/schaff/hcc3/hcc3.iii.vii.xx.html|access-date=2022-01-26|website=ccel.org}} Helvidius is one of the early opponents of the monastic movement.{{Cite web|title=Philip Schaff: History of the Christian Church, Volume III: Nicene and Post-Nicene Christianity. A.D. 311-600 - Christian Classics Ethereal Library|url=https://ccel.org/ccel/schaff/hcc3/hcc3.iii.vii.xix.html|access-date=2022-01-26|website=ccel.org}}

Jerome often insults Helvidius as a rough, uneducated man.{{Cite web|title=Philip Schaff: History of the Christian Church, Volume III: Nicene and Post-Nicene Christianity. A.D. 311-600 - Christian Classics Ethereal Library|url=https://ccel.org/ccel/schaff/hcc3/hcc3.iii.vii.xx.html|access-date=2022-01-26|website=ccel.org}}