The Accusation of the Virgin comes from the non-canonical infancy gospel of James. Mary and Joseph are accosted by the elders and the priests upon learning of Mary's pregnancy, and both are administered a test to prove that Mary's pregnancy was pure and not by Joseph. "And the priest said: I will give you to drink of the water of the ordeal of the Lord, and He shall make manifest your sins in your eyes. And the priest took the water, and gave Joseph to drink and sent him away to the hill-country; and he returned unhurt. And he gave to Mary also to drink, and sent her away to the hill-country; and she returned unhurt. And all the people wondered that sin did not appear in them. And the priest said: If the Lord God has not made manifest your sins, neither do I judge you. And he sent them away. And Joseph took Mary, and went away to his own house, rejoicing and glorifying the God of Israel." [from Protoevangelium of James, section 16: http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/infancyjames-roberts.html] The Annunciation is on the right hand side of the image. Donated by James T. Womack and Anne Richardson, Nashville, TN. |