if any think [i] am mistaken, moreover, let them search through the scriptures any neither find mary's death, nor whether or not she died, nor whether or not she was buried—even though john surely travelled throughout asia. and yet, nowhere does he say that he took the holy virgin with him. scripture simply kept silence because of the overwhelming wonder, not to throw men's minds into consternation. for i dare not say—though i have my suspicions, i keep silent. perhaps, just as her death is not to be found, so i may have found some traces of the holy and blessed virgin. ...the holy virgin may have died and been buried—her falling asleep was with honour, her death in purity, her crown in virginity. or she may have been put to death—as the scripture says, 'and a sword shall pierce through her soul'—her fame is among the martyrs and her holy body, by which light rose on the world, [rests] amid blessings. or she may have remained alive, for god is not incapable of doing whatever he wills. no one knows her end. but we must not honour the saints to excess; we must honour their master. it is time for the error of those who have gone astray to cease.