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In the above, Epiphanius' Panarion is cited. This is a work that lists large numbers of heresies. Concerning Heresy 26 (Gnostics) in Paragraph 7.5, he refers to Jesus born of the ever-virgin Mary. Had Mary and Joseph had normal marital relations, she would not be ever-virgin, only Virgin. This is also repeated in Heresy 29 (Nazareans) paragraph 6.7. In his section on Antidicomarians, he comments that the Antidicomarians disbelieve in the perpetual Virginity of Mary and then proceeds to explain how the Lord had brothers even though his mother was a perpetual Virgin. In addition he also connects Mary with Eve. He also comments that he who honors the Lord also honors his Vessel and continues with "Leave Mary the holy vessel, the holy Virgin, alone! "

The next heresy he goes after is the Collyridian heresy. Some of my summary has to do with the modern heresy of attempting to ordain women.

This sect is interesting as they actually practiced Mary Worship. This sect offered bread to Mary through the use of priestesses. Epiphanius states that if any female should be priest, it would be Mary because "She was counted worthy to bear the king of all in her own womb". Interestingly he comments John the Baptist practiced baptism for the remission of sins. His baptisms took place using water. Proceeding, even though there are prophetesses, they are not priestesses. So he appears to oppose female ordination not because he has a problem with it, but because he can find no basis for it. He does comment that there are deaconesses who exist to preserve the modesty of women.

He proceeds to mention that there are deacons who help administer, but not celebrate, any mysteries. Interesting to note, Epiphanius has no problem citing the Protoevangelium of James. He proceeds to say that Mary should be honored but not worshipped (which is the Catholic statement). He concludes that since it is not appropriate to offer the Eucharist to men (only to God), it is inappropriate to offer it to women. He then states that not even angels have this glory.