A History of Mothering Sunday

In ancient times the Celts celebrated the goddess of childbirth Brigid, renowned for her goodness and compassion. The Greeks held a springtime festival in honour of Cybele, a goddess known as the Great Mother, whose over-enthusiastic followers used to castrate themselves and assume female identities. The Romans also had a holiday on the first of March called Matronalia, dedicated to the Goddess Juno, the patroness of marriage and mother of Mars, Minerva and Vulcan.

It’s possible that some elements of these ancient traditions were adopted by the Christian Church:
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