"Because there are those who dare to say that Mary cohabited with Joseph
after she bore the Redeemer, we reply, 'How would it have been possible
for her who was the home of the indwelling of the Spirit, whom the
divine power overshadowed, that she be joined by a mortal being, and
gave birth filled with birthpangs, in the image of the primeval curse?'
If Mary was blessed of women, she would have been exempt from the curse
from the beginning, and from the bearing of children in birthpangs and
curses. It would be impossible therefore to call one who gave birth with
these birthpangs blessed."
(Saint Ephrem's Commentary on Tatian's Diatessaron)
