Wednesday, 30 December 2015
Saturday, 26 December 2015
The Coptic Church part5
Page 5 of 5
Ecumenical Councils
Scholars who study the first three Ecumenical Councils are able to distinguish the Alexandrine Theologians as leaders and pioneers of the Christian faith on an ecumenical level. Among the most prominent are:
1. St. Athanasius the Apostolic, the 20th patriarch, whose papacy was from 326-372 A.D., attended the first Ecumenical Council at Nicea in 325 A.D. Being only a deacon and the secretary for Pope Alexandros at that time, he fought Arianism locally and authored the Orthodox Creed, which he presented at the council and which was agreed upon by the 318 convening bishops. After Pope Alexandros’s departure, he took his place, becoming the 20th patriarch.
2. Pope Timothy, the 22nd patriarch, whose papacy was from 380-385 A.D., played a significant role in defeating the Macedonian heresy, which denied the divinity of the Holy Spirit at the second Ecumenical Council which was held in Constantinople in 381 A.D. and convened by 150 bishops. He authored the last section of the Orthodox Creed or Nicene Creed, which addressed the divinity of the Holy Spirit.
3. St. Cyril the Great, the 24th patriarch, whose papacy was from 412-458 A.D., participated in the third Ecumenical Council of Ephesus in 431 A.D. He led the 200 convening bishops to the understanding that Nestor’s concept of Christ having two natures – divine and human – instead of one, was heretical and undermined His redemptive act on the cross. St. Cyril reiterated and articulated the Christological formula, “The One Nature of the Incarnate Word of God.”
These theologians’ prominence was not based on any political ties since Alexandria was under the Roman Empire, and subsequently under Byzantine rule until the Arab Conquest of Egypt. Their prominence, however, was based on the pious, spiritual, theological and Scriptural perspective.
The faith of the Copts is often referred to as “The Orthodox Faith,” which is to say the “Straight faith” that was handed down by the Apostles. The Copts have fiercely defended their faith throughout the ages and against numerous attacks.
Final Word
The Coptic Orthodox Church is an Apostolic Church, not only because it was founded by St. Mark the Apostle, but also because it preserves apostolic teachings as passed down by the Apostles in the Scriptures and the Holy Tradition, which in Orthodoxy is known as the Oral or Spoken Gospel. The Apostolic teachings are upheld in all facets of Coptic Orthodoxy, from the sacramental and liturgical life of the Church, to its doctrine and theology and to its spirituality and worship. The Church is considered a living extension of the Apostolic Church of the first century without deviation offering the precious gift of faith throughout the ages and where Christ transfigures its life, attracting many to Himself, working through its members by the power of the Holy Spirit.
The Coptic Church part 4
Page 4 of 5
Monastic Movement
The Coptic Orthodox Church is also credited with the genesis of the monastic movement, which began during the latter part of the 3rd century and flourished in the 4th century under the example of St. Antony (251-356 A.D.), known as the father of all monks over the world. The monk essentially lives like an angel unceasingly lifting up prayers and praises to God – entails a life of asceticism consisting of prayer, contemplation, solitude, worship, and purity of heart together with elements of manual labor. Monks strive to grow in spiritual virtues throughout their lives, starting by the virtue of celibacy.
All monastic forms started in the 4th century in Egypt. The three forms of monasticism, which took root in Egypt, are: anchoritism, semi-anchoritism and cenobitism. The Coptic Orthodox Church is known for its asceticism, not only because the monastic movement started there, but also because asceticism is a fundamental characteristic of its sacramental and liturgical life and worship.
Some Christians yearned for the anchoritic life and escaped to the desert. One such example of that is St. Paul the First Hermit, who lived in the desert more than 90 years (250-341 A.D.) without seeing a single man. Although there were others who preceded St. Antony the Great in the practice of monasticism, he is widely credited with its genesis because of the many who became his disciples, embraced it, and championed its development. St. Pachomius (290-348 A.D.) established the cenobitic system of monasticism because he found that the anchoritic system was not suitable for everyone seeking the monastic life. St. Shenouda the Archmandrite and Head of Anchorites (348-466 A.D.), embraced the anchoritic or hermitic life and he encouraged some of his monks to withdraw to the desert after a few years of cenobitic life. He was the spiritual father for 2200 monks and 1800 nuns. This movement attracted people from all over the world to come to the Egyptian desert to embrace and live the “angelic life” such as the Greeks, Romans, Cappadocians, Libyans, Syrians, Nubians, Ethiopians and many others.
The women’s monastic movement started side by side with that of men. Many Egyptian and foreign women were disguised in men’s garments to live an ascetic life in men’s monasteries, and they became pioneers in asceticism and spirituality. Later, monks contributed in the building of the nunneries. Many female leaders played effective roles, such as Abbess Sarah and Abbess Theodora.
At its climax, the number of monasteries reached as high up as in the hundreds besides thethousands of anchoritic cells and caves that are scattered throughout the Egyptian desert. Today, there are a number of Coptic monasteries outside the borders of the Egyptian desert. There are two in the U.S., two in Australia, one in Italy, one in Germany, and one in France.
Roman Persecution part 3
The Roman Emperors concentrated in their persecution on Christians of Egypt, especially inAlexandria, for the following reasons:
1) The success of the Church of Alexandria and its School in attracting even philosophers to the new faith.
2) Alexandria represented a vital center that provided the Roman capital with products. For this reason the Emperors were afraid of any revolution in Egypt.
3) The courage of the Egyptians and their sincere desire to attain the crowns of martyrdom perplexed the persecutors, so that Diocletian went to Alexandria to practice persecution by himself.
The Coptic Orthodox Church is known as “The Church of Martyrs” because of the myriads of Copts who gave their lives in witness to Christ, thus preserving the Church and the Christian faith for future generations. Tertullian, a famous contemporary historian of the early Christian era stated, “If the martyrs throughout the world were to be put on one side of the scale and the Coptic martyrs alone on the other side of the scale, the latter would outweigh the former.”
The historian who called the Coptic Church, “The Church of Martyrs,” not only did so because of the sheer number of martyrs, but also because of the ardent desire that its members had shown toward martyrdom. When they were prevented from worship in churches, they never fled to catacombs or tombs to worship; instead, they worshiped openly and fearlessly in the fields. Living the Scriptures in which the Apostle Paul teaches, “For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,” it was not uncommon that many Copts traveled to seek the opportunity to witness to Christ and share in His sufferings and obtain the “Crown of Martyrdom.” Women and children were no less courageous than men. The Copts believed that their suffering is a sign of love to God, who suffered and died for us. Hence they longed to share in His suffering, even to the point of death.
Many Copts traveled from one place to another seeking the crowns of martyrdom. The waves of persecution in Egypt began since the first century when the Apostle St. Mark was martyred by the enraged pagan populace; and it continues to these days.
The Copts insisted on starting their calendar by the beginning of the reign of Diocletian, in 248 AD, calling it "Anno Martyri," for in his reign the Church gained numerous numbers of martyrs, who are now glorified in Paradise. About the eleventh of September of every year we celebrate the commencement of a new Coptic year, calling it "Feast of Nayrouz," in which we celebrate the Feast of Martyrs, as a spiritual preparation for starting a new year.
wiscopts.net/history/the-coptic-church?start=2
Sons of Pharaohs part 1
The Copts are the rightful ancestors of the ancient Egyptians. The term “Copt” is derived from the Greek word “Aigyptos” which is in turn derived from the ancient Egyptian word “Ha-ka-Ptah” which means, the house of the spirit of Ptah, a most highly revered deity in Egyptian mythology. Since the Arab conquest and until today, this term refers to the Christian Egyptian, distinguishing them from the Muslim Egyptian. When the Arabs conquered Egypt in 642 A.D., all the native Egyptians were Christian. Therefore, they called Egypt “Dar-el-Qypt” which means, the home of the Copts.
The Copts are the direct descendants of the ancient Egyptians or the “modern sons of the pharaohs” and the Coptic Orthodox Church is the indigenous Church of Egypt. They played an essential role in the whole Christian world, especially during the first five centuries.
Blessed is Egypt My People
Egypt was a refuge to many people especially during famines. Among those who found refuge in Egypt were: Abraham and Sarah, Joseph (who became its second man in command after pharaoh), Jacob and his sons who grew in Egypt as a nation, Moses the great prophet and his brother Aaron the first priest. The Bible talks about Moses saying: “Moses was taught in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was mighty in words and in deeds.” Also, among the prophets who visited Egypt was Jeremiah who uttered his last prophecy there.
Finally, it was visited by the Holy Family. Egypt was the only country in the world that our Lord visited. Thus, Egypt became a representative of the Gentiles to whom Christ came to establish His Church and to form His new people. The prophets Hosea and Isaiah both prophesied about the Son of God going out of Bethlehem and fleeing to Egypt.
Isaiah said, “Behold, the Lord rides upon a swift cloud, and will come into Egypt; and the idols of Egypt will totter at His presence… In that day there will be an alter to the Lord in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar to the Lord at its border.”
St. Cyril the Great interpreted this prophecy saying, “The swift cloud which carried the Child Jesus to Egypt was His mother, St. Mary, who surpassed the cloud in purity. The alter which was established in the midst of the land of Egypt is the Christian Church which had replaced the temples of paganism as the idols collapsed and the temples were deserted in the presence of the Lord Jesus.” Through Isaiah, later in the chapter we hear the Lord proclaiming, “Blessed is Egypt, My people.” Many miracles took place there during that visit and many places were blessed. At these holy places, many churches and monasteries were built, which are visited by people from all over the world. Thus Jesus Christ came during His childhood to Egypt to lay by Himself the foundation stone of His Church in Egypt. wiscopts.net/history/the-coptic-church
The Coptic Church part 2
Page 2 of 5
St. Mark the Founder
The Coptic Orthodox Church is an Apostolic Church. It was founded by St. Mark the Apostle and Evangelist in the first century. It is also known as “The Church of Alexandria” or “The See of St. Mark.” It was one of the earliest four “sees” or “patriarchates”: Jerusalem, Antioch, Alexandria, and Rome. The see of Constantinople was founded in the fourth century.
With the establishment of the Church in Alexandria, St. Mark ordained deacons, priests and a bishop to assist him in his ministry. Through an unbroken chain of apostolic succession, the present day patriarch, His Holiness Pope Shenouda III, is the 117th successor of St. Mark.
St. Mark was a forward-thinking apostle; his ministry was productive and covered numerous spheres of activities, including the following:
1. Preaching in Egypt and Pentapolis, next to Judea, Cyprus, Asia Minor and Italy; during this time he ordained bishops, priests and deacons;
2. Authoring the first and oldest Gospel, most probably in Egypt. (65-68 A.D.);
3. Authoring the Holy Eucharistic Liturgy, which is still used to this day in Coptic Orthodox liturgical services; and
4. Establishing the Chatechetical School of Alexandria, which defended Christianity against the secular philosophical School of Alexandria, and conceived a number of great and famous fathers.
St. Mark was martyred in Alexandria in 68 A.D. His head is preserved in the great Cathedral of St. Mark in Alexandria, and his relic is at the Coptic Patriarchate located in Cairo, Egypt.
School of Alexandria
The Catechetical School of Alexandria was established in the first century of Christianity by St. Mark. It became renown in areas of study such as theology, dogma and doctrine, history, biblical studies and patrology. Numerous scholars were among its most prominent students, who taught in it later, such as Athenagoras, Pentaenous, Clement, Origen, Didymus, Athanasius the Apostolic, Cyril of Alexandria and Dioscorus.
Origen alone composed more than 6000 commentaries on the Bible. He wrote his Hexapla in which the Old Testament was written in six columns. He was also responsible for all the translations of that time. St. Didymus the Blind was the dean of the school during the time of St. Athanasius the Apostolic. He learned to read and write using carved wood, fifteen centuries before the introduction of Braille.
Friday, 25 December 2015
saint mary the virgin part 4
St-Takla.org Image: Renaissance art of Mother and Child
صورة في موقع الأنبا تكلا: لوحة من فنون عصر النهضة تصور الأم والابن
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worship Him" (Ps. 45:10-11). That is why she was called the friend of
Solomon, who is the virgin of the Song of Songs.
It was said of her in the same psalm: "The royal daughter is all
glorious within the palace; her clothing is woven with gold. She shall be
brought to the king in robes of many colors" (Ps. 45:13-14).
5. We also give her the surname "the beautiful pigeon" in remembrance of the beautiful pigeon that carried to our father Noah a
branch of olive tree, as a symbol of peace, bringing to him the good news
of the deliverance from the waters of the flood......... (Gen. 8:11). With
this surname, the priest burns incense in front of her icon when he goes
out of the sanctuary and says: "Hail to you, O Virgin Mary, the beautiful
pigeon".
The Virgin is compared to the pigeon in her simplicity and her purity
and the action of the Holy Spirit in her. She resembles the pigeon which
brought the good news of the deliverance after the flood, because she
brought the good news of the deliverance by Christ.
6. The Virgin is also compared to the cloud because of her height on the one hand, and because the prophecy
of her coming to Egypt, compared her in this manner. It was mentionned
about this in the book of the prophet Isaiah:
"The burden against Egypt. Behold, the Lord rides on a swift cloud,
and will come into Egypt; the idols of Egypt will totter at His presence,
and the heart of Egypt will melt in its midst" (Is. 19:1). The expression
"cloud" is a symbol of the Lord who will come upon the clouds.
(Matt. 16:27).
B. Her surnames and symbols
as regards her motherhood to the Christ our Lord:
7. One of the surnames by which The Virgin has been
described is "Theotokos" that is: "the mother of God". This surname has been called upon her
by the sacred oecumenical council of Ephesus in 431 AD. Saint Kirillos
the Great insisted on that surname in his response to Nestorius......
Saint Elizabeth addressed her with that surname "the mother of my
Lord" (Luke 1:43).
8. One of her surnames is also: "the golden censer". We call her "Te shury" that is the censer in Coptic; and
sometimes "the censer of Aaron".......... As for the fire which it contains
inside her, coal in it symbolises the human nature of Christ, and fire
symbolises His divine nature, as it has been said in the Holy Bible: "our
God is a consuming fire" (Heb. 12:29).
Solomon, who is the virgin of the Song of Songs.
It was said of her in the same psalm: "The royal daughter is all
glorious within the palace; her clothing is woven with gold. She shall be
brought to the king in robes of many colors" (Ps. 45:13-14).
5. We also give her the surname "the beautiful pigeon" in remembrance of the beautiful pigeon that carried to our father Noah a
branch of olive tree, as a symbol of peace, bringing to him the good news
of the deliverance from the waters of the flood......... (Gen. 8:11). With
this surname, the priest burns incense in front of her icon when he goes
out of the sanctuary and says: "Hail to you, O Virgin Mary, the beautiful
pigeon".
The Virgin is compared to the pigeon in her simplicity and her purity
and the action of the Holy Spirit in her. She resembles the pigeon which
brought the good news of the deliverance after the flood, because she
brought the good news of the deliverance by Christ.
6. The Virgin is also compared to the cloud because of her height on the one hand, and because the prophecy
of her coming to Egypt, compared her in this manner. It was mentionned
about this in the book of the prophet Isaiah:
"The burden against Egypt. Behold, the Lord rides on a swift cloud,
and will come into Egypt; the idols of Egypt will totter at His presence,
and the heart of Egypt will melt in its midst" (Is. 19:1). The expression
"cloud" is a symbol of the Lord who will come upon the clouds.
(Matt. 16:27).
B. Her surnames and symbols
as regards her motherhood to the Christ our Lord:
7. One of the surnames by which The Virgin has been
described is "Theotokos" that is: "the mother of God". This surname has been called upon her
by the sacred oecumenical council of Ephesus in 431 AD. Saint Kirillos
the Great insisted on that surname in his response to Nestorius......
Saint Elizabeth addressed her with that surname "the mother of my
Lord" (Luke 1:43).
8. One of her surnames is also: "the golden censer". We call her "Te shury" that is the censer in Coptic; and
sometimes "the censer of Aaron".......... As for the fire which it contains
inside her, coal in it symbolises the human nature of Christ, and fire
symbolises His divine nature, as it has been said in the Holy Bible: "our
God is a consuming fire" (Heb. 12:29).
13
The censer symbolises the womb of The Virgin where divinity was
united with humanity. The censer being of gold, that points to the
greatness and the purity of The Virgin. Regarding the purity and the
sanctity of The Virgin, we call The Virgin in her hymns "the golden
censer" (Te shury ennub, in Coptic).
9. The Virgin is also surnamed "the second heaven" because as heaven is the abode of God, so The Virgin Mary
was an abode of God during the sacred pregnancy.
10. The Virgin is also surnamed "the city of God": The prophecy in the psalm is realised in her: "Glorious things
are spoken of you, O city of God" (Ps 87:3). Or what was said of her "the
city of the great King", or certain prophecies which were said about
Jerusalem, are realised in her..........or Zion as it was also said in the
psalm: "And of Zion it will be said, "This one and that one were born in
her; and the most High Himself shall establish her" (Ps. 87:5).
11. In this quality, she was surnamed "the vine where was found
the cluster of life" that is Christ. The Church asks for her intercession with that
surname in the prayer of the third hour, saying to her: "O mother of God,
you are the true vine who bears the cluster of life"........
12. By this quality of motherhood, she has other surnames of
which we mention: The mother of the true light, considering that it has been said of
the Christ our Lord, that He is "the true Light which gives light to every
man coming into the world" (John 1:9).
Likewise she was surnamed "the golden lamp" because she bears
the Light. And also: "the mother of the Holy One", considering that the
angel, when he announced her with the birth of Christ, said to her: "also,
that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God"
(Luke 1:35).
"The mother of the Saviour", because the Christ our Lord is the
Saviour of the world: "and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save
His people from their sins" (Matt. 1:21).
13. Among her symbols also: "the bush which the prophet Moses
saw" (Exodus 3:2). We say in the song: "The bush which the prophet Moses saw in
the desert, is the symbol of the mother of Light, blessed be she. She has
carried the fire of divinity in her womb, without being touched by any
harm". It was said of the Lord that He is "a consuming fire" (Heb 12:29)
to which the fire which is burning inside the bush, is a symbol, and the
bush symbolises The Virgin.
14. Also a mong her symbols: "the ark of the Testimony".
The censer symbolises the womb of The Virgin where divinity was
united with humanity. The censer being of gold, that points to the
greatness and the purity of The Virgin. Regarding the purity and the
sanctity of The Virgin, we call The Virgin in her hymns "the golden
censer" (Te shury ennub, in Coptic).
9. The Virgin is also surnamed "the second heaven" because as heaven is the abode of God, so The Virgin Mary
was an abode of God during the sacred pregnancy.
10. The Virgin is also surnamed "the city of God": The prophecy in the psalm is realised in her: "Glorious things
are spoken of you, O city of God" (Ps 87:3). Or what was said of her "the
city of the great King", or certain prophecies which were said about
Jerusalem, are realised in her..........or Zion as it was also said in the
psalm: "And of Zion it will be said, "This one and that one were born in
her; and the most High Himself shall establish her" (Ps. 87:5).
11. In this quality, she was surnamed "the vine where was found
the cluster of life" that is Christ. The Church asks for her intercession with that
surname in the prayer of the third hour, saying to her: "O mother of God,
you are the true vine who bears the cluster of life"........
12. By this quality of motherhood, she has other surnames of
which we mention: The mother of the true light, considering that it has been said of
the Christ our Lord, that He is "the true Light which gives light to every
man coming into the world" (John 1:9).
Likewise she was surnamed "the golden lamp" because she bears
the Light. And also: "the mother of the Holy One", considering that the
angel, when he announced her with the birth of Christ, said to her: "also,
that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God"
(Luke 1:35).
"The mother of the Saviour", because the Christ our Lord is the
Saviour of the world: "and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save
His people from their sins" (Matt. 1:21).
13. Among her symbols also: "the bush which the prophet Moses
saw" (Exodus 3:2). We say in the song: "The bush which the prophet Moses saw in
the desert, is the symbol of the mother of Light, blessed be she. She has
carried the fire of divinity in her womb, without being touched by any
harm". It was said of the Lord that He is "a consuming fire" (Heb 12:29)
to which the fire which is burning inside the bush, is a symbol, and the
bush symbolises The Virgin.
14. Also a mong her symbols: "the ark of the Testimony".
14
This ark was made of acacia wood that cannot be moth -eaten,
and was covered with gold from inside and outside (Ex. 25:10, 22), as a
symbol of the purity and the greatness of The Virgin. It also symbolised
the things which were inside the ark that were a symbol of the Christ our
Lord.
There was kept "the golden pot that had the manna, Aaron's rod that
budded, and the tablets of the covenant" (as a symbol of the incarnated
Word of God).
15. The Virgin is also compared to the pot of the manna; because the manna was a symbol of the Christ our Lord, as being
the live bread who came down from heaven, everybody who eats from
him lives by Him, that is also the bread of life (John 6: 32,48,49). Since
the Lord Christ is compared to the manna, so it is possible to compare the
Virgin to the pot of the manna, who carried this celestial bread inside her.
16. The Virgin is also compared to the rod of Aaron which
germinated: that is: she miraculously sprouted and carried the buds of life,
(Num.17:6 -8); although a rod has of course no life in it that can produce
blossoms and yield fruit. This symbolises the virginity of The Virgin who
could not sprout or produce posterity; but she gave birth through a
miracle. This description is mentioned in the hymn of Sunday.
17. The tabernacle of meeting (the dome of Moses). The tabernacle of meeting was the place upon which The Lord
used to come, and The Virgin is she upon whom The Lord came. God
manifested his love for his people in the two cases. That is what we say in
the book of the hymns (Al Ipsalmodia): "You have been compared, O
Virgin Mary, to the tabernacle which Moses made on the mountain of
Sinaï, where God was inside".
18. The Virgin is compared to the gate in the East. That which the prophet Ezechiel saw, and of which the Lord
said: "This gate shall be shut, it shall not be opened, and no man shall
enter by it, because the Lord God of Israel has entered by it; therefore it
shall be shut" (Ez. 44: 1 -2). The prophet saw the glory of the Lord at this
gate which is in the East, and the house was filled with it (Ez. 43: 2,4,5).
That symbolises the virginity of the Virgin who was from the
countries of the East; and how this virginity remained sealed.
Because she was that gate from the East, she was qualified as:
19. The gate of life, the gate of deliverance: It was said about our Lady the Virgin in the book of Ezechiel: "As
for the prince, because he is the prince, he may sit in it to eat bread before
the Lord; he shall enter by way of the vestibule of the gateway, and go
out the same way" (Ez. 44:3).
This ark was made of acacia wood that cannot be moth -eaten,
and was covered with gold from inside and outside (Ex. 25:10, 22), as a
symbol of the purity and the greatness of The Virgin. It also symbolised
the things which were inside the ark that were a symbol of the Christ our
Lord.
There was kept "the golden pot that had the manna, Aaron's rod that
budded, and the tablets of the covenant" (as a symbol of the incarnated
Word of God).
15. The Virgin is also compared to the pot of the manna; because the manna was a symbol of the Christ our Lord, as being
the live bread who came down from heaven, everybody who eats from
him lives by Him, that is also the bread of life (John 6: 32,48,49). Since
the Lord Christ is compared to the manna, so it is possible to compare the
Virgin to the pot of the manna, who carried this celestial bread inside her.
16. The Virgin is also compared to the rod of Aaron which
germinated: that is: she miraculously sprouted and carried the buds of life,
(Num.17:6 -8); although a rod has of course no life in it that can produce
blossoms and yield fruit. This symbolises the virginity of The Virgin who
could not sprout or produce posterity; but she gave birth through a
miracle. This description is mentioned in the hymn of Sunday.
17. The tabernacle of meeting (the dome of Moses). The tabernacle of meeting was the place upon which The Lord
used to come, and The Virgin is she upon whom The Lord came. God
manifested his love for his people in the two cases. That is what we say in
the book of the hymns (Al Ipsalmodia): "You have been compared, O
Virgin Mary, to the tabernacle which Moses made on the mountain of
Sinaï, where God was inside".
18. The Virgin is compared to the gate in the East. That which the prophet Ezechiel saw, and of which the Lord
said: "This gate shall be shut, it shall not be opened, and no man shall
enter by it, because the Lord God of Israel has entered by it; therefore it
shall be shut" (Ez. 44: 1 -2). The prophet saw the glory of the Lord at this
gate which is in the East, and the house was filled with it (Ez. 43: 2,4,5).
That symbolises the virginity of the Virgin who was from the
countries of the East; and how this virginity remained sealed.
Because she was that gate from the East, she was qualified as:
19. The gate of life, the gate of deliverance: It was said about our Lady the Virgin in the book of Ezechiel: "As
for the prince, because he is the prince, he may sit in it to eat bread before
the Lord; he shall enter by way of the vestibule of the gateway, and go
out the same way" (Ez. 44:3).
15
Since the Lord is the Life, then she is the gate of the Life. The Lord
said: "I am the resurrection and the life" (John 11:25). That is why the
Virgin is the gate of the Life, that gate out of which the Lord came out,
granting life to all those who believe in Him.......
It is not astonishing that we surname the Virgin "the gate", because
the Church also was surnamed "the gate". Our father Jacob said about
Bethel: "How awsome is this place! This is none other than the house of
God, and this is the gate of heaven!" (Gen. 28:17).
20. She was compared to the "Holiest of all" That in which the chief priest entered once a year, to make
atonement for all the people. The Lord of glory came once inside the
Virgin Mary for the redemption of all the world.
THE VIRGIN'S VIRTUES
LIFE OF HUMILITY
Humility was a fundamental condition for her of whom the Lord
of Glory will be born. It was indispensable that He would be born from a humble person,
who could bear the glory of the divine Incarnation from her.........the glory
of the coming of the Holy Spirit in her......and the glory of the nativity of
the Lord from her, and the glory of all the generations blessing her, and
the humility of Elizabeth in front of her saying to her: "But why is this
granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?"
(Luke 1:43). Likewise to bear the glory of all the apparitions of angels,
and the worship of the Mages in front of her Son, and the many miracles
which happened by her son in the land of Egypt, and the light of this Son
in her bosom.
That is why, "the fullness of the time" (Gal. 4:4) waited for this
human being from whom the Son of God was born. This humility was manifested in her life, as we shall see:
The angel announced to her that she will become the mother of the
Lord, but she said: "Behold the maid-servant of the Lord" (Luke 1:38),
that is his slave and his maiden.
The magnificent glory which was given to her, absolutely did not
decrease by her humility. But rather it was because of this humility that
the Lord granted her that glory. "For He has regarded the lowly state of
His maidservant" and made great things for her (Luke 1: 48, 49).
Since the Lord is the Life, then she is the gate of the Life. The Lord
said: "I am the resurrection and the life" (John 11:25). That is why the
Virgin is the gate of the Life, that gate out of which the Lord came out,
granting life to all those who believe in Him.......
It is not astonishing that we surname the Virgin "the gate", because
the Church also was surnamed "the gate". Our father Jacob said about
Bethel: "How awsome is this place! This is none other than the house of
God, and this is the gate of heaven!" (Gen. 28:17).
20. She was compared to the "Holiest of all" That in which the chief priest entered once a year, to make
atonement for all the people. The Lord of glory came once inside the
Virgin Mary for the redemption of all the world.
THE VIRGIN'S VIRTUES
LIFE OF HUMILITY
Humility was a fundamental condition for her of whom the Lord
of Glory will be born. It was indispensable that He would be born from a humble person,
who could bear the glory of the divine Incarnation from her.........the glory
of the coming of the Holy Spirit in her......and the glory of the nativity of
the Lord from her, and the glory of all the generations blessing her, and
the humility of Elizabeth in front of her saying to her: "But why is this
granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?"
(Luke 1:43). Likewise to bear the glory of all the apparitions of angels,
and the worship of the Mages in front of her Son, and the many miracles
which happened by her son in the land of Egypt, and the light of this Son
in her bosom.
That is why, "the fullness of the time" (Gal. 4:4) waited for this
human being from whom the Son of God was born. This humility was manifested in her life, as we shall see:
The angel announced to her that she will become the mother of the
Lord, but she said: "Behold the maid-servant of the Lord" (Luke 1:38),
that is his slave and his maiden.
The magnificent glory which was given to her, absolutely did not
decrease by her humility. But rather it was because of this humility that
the Lord granted her that glory. "For He has regarded the lowly state of
His maidservant" and made great things for her (Luke 1: 48, 49).
16
The humility of the Virgin was also manifested in her going to
Elizabeth in order to serve her, during the period of her pregnancy. As
soon as she heard that she was pregnant, in her sixth month, she travelled
to her in a tiring journey across the mountains. She remained with her for
three months, till her days were complete to give birth (Luke 1: 39-56).
She did so while she was pregnant with the Lord of glory.
Her lack of talking about the glories of the divine Incarnation, is a
sign of her humility.
LIFE OF ABANDON
She lived saintly and purely in the temple. Then came a time when
they said to her to go out of the temple. She did not protest or object, such
as many women do, when they are forbidden by the ecclesiastical laws, to
enter the church in certain periods; and they protest and discuss much ....!
She wanted to live without marriage, but they ordered her to live
under the guardianship of a man, according to the custom in her days.....
She did not protest then, and she accepted to live in the custody of
a man, as she had accepted to go out of the temple........ She lived the life of abandon, not protesting, not resisting, not
objecting, but quietly abandonning to the will of God, without discussion.
She was determined to live the life of virginity, and did never think
at any time of becoming a mother. And when God willed that she
becomes a mother by the coming of the Holy Spirit upon her (Luke 1:35),
she did not discuss, but replied with her immortal expression: "Behold the
maid -servant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word"
(Luke 1:38)..... For that, God granted her the motherhood, and kept her
virginity too, and she became a mother, the thing in which she had
absolutely never thought ...... Through abandon, she became the mother
of the Lord....... rather the greatest in value of all mothers.
She was ordered to go to Egypt, and she went. And she was ordered to come back from Egypt, and she came
back. She was ordered to move from Bethlehem and to reside in
Nazareth, and she moved and resided.
She was a calm human being, living the life of abandon, without
discussion. That is why "He who is mighty has done great things" to
her........ "For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant".
THE LIFE OF ENDURANCE
She became an orphan from her two parents, when she was eight
years old, and she endured the life of orphanage. She lived in the temple
while she was a child, and she endured the life of solitude there. She
came out of the temple in order to live in the custody of a Carpenter, and
The humility of the Virgin was also manifested in her going to
Elizabeth in order to serve her, during the period of her pregnancy. As
soon as she heard that she was pregnant, in her sixth month, she travelled
to her in a tiring journey across the mountains. She remained with her for
three months, till her days were complete to give birth (Luke 1: 39-56).
She did so while she was pregnant with the Lord of glory.
Her lack of talking about the glories of the divine Incarnation, is a
sign of her humility.
LIFE OF ABANDON
She lived saintly and purely in the temple. Then came a time when
they said to her to go out of the temple. She did not protest or object, such
as many women do, when they are forbidden by the ecclesiastical laws, to
enter the church in certain periods; and they protest and discuss much ....!
She wanted to live without marriage, but they ordered her to live
under the guardianship of a man, according to the custom in her days.....
She did not protest then, and she accepted to live in the custody of
a man, as she had accepted to go out of the temple........ She lived the life of abandon, not protesting, not resisting, not
objecting, but quietly abandonning to the will of God, without discussion.
She was determined to live the life of virginity, and did never think
at any time of becoming a mother. And when God willed that she
becomes a mother by the coming of the Holy Spirit upon her (Luke 1:35),
she did not discuss, but replied with her immortal expression: "Behold the
maid -servant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word"
(Luke 1:38)..... For that, God granted her the motherhood, and kept her
virginity too, and she became a mother, the thing in which she had
absolutely never thought ...... Through abandon, she became the mother
of the Lord....... rather the greatest in value of all mothers.
She was ordered to go to Egypt, and she went. And she was ordered to come back from Egypt, and she came
back. She was ordered to move from Bethlehem and to reside in
Nazareth, and she moved and resided.
She was a calm human being, living the life of abandon, without
discussion. That is why "He who is mighty has done great things" to
her........ "For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant".
THE LIFE OF ENDURANCE
She became an orphan from her two parents, when she was eight
years old, and she endured the life of orphanage. She lived in the temple
while she was a child, and she endured the life of solitude there. She
came out of the temple in order to live in the custody of a Carpenter, and
17
she endured the life of poverty. When she gave birth to her only Son,
"there was no room for them in the inn", then she "laid Him in a manger"
(Luke 2:7). She supported that also....... She endured the responsability
while she was in a tender age. She supported the magnificent glory which
surrounded her, without being harrassed by the thoughts of greatness.
It was not possible for her to declare that she has given birth while
she was a virgin, so she kept silent and endured that.
She suffered the tiring voyage to Egypt and back. She suffered to be
expelled there from town to town, because the idols were falling down in
front of the Christ (Is. 19:1). She suffered to be a poor foreigner. She
suffered that a sword would pierce through her own soul also (Luke 2:35)
because of that which her Son met, the persecutions, the insults, and
lastly the suffering and the shame of the cross.......
The Virgin was not satisfied only to endure negatively, but she
lived in the jubilation by the Lord as she said in her hymn: "my spirit has rejoiced in God my
Saviour" (Luke 1:47).
FAITH AND NOT GRUMBLING
She did not grumble at all in all that she suffered. When Herod
menaced to kill her Son, in the flight to Egypt, and in the persecutions
from the Jews, she did not say, where is the announcement that He will sit
to reign on the throne of his father David....and there will be no end to his
kingdom (Luke 1: 32-33)! But she was rather patient; and as Elizabeth
said about her "And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a
performance of those things which were told her from the Lord"
(Luke 1:45).
She believed that she will give birth while remaining a virgin, and
that was realised for her.
She believed that the "Holy One who is to be born will be called the
Son of God." (Luke 1:35), in spite of his birth in a manger. What she
believed in, was realised for her, by way of the visions and the angels
whom she saw, and the miracles which were accomplished by Him. She
believed in all that, in spite of the persecutions to which He was
exposed.......
She believed while He was on the cross, then she saw Him after His
resurrection from the dead (Matt. 28).
SILENCE, PRAYER, AND MEDITATION
It was God who arranged that she became an orphan and lived in the
temple.
she endured the life of poverty. When she gave birth to her only Son,
"there was no room for them in the inn", then she "laid Him in a manger"
(Luke 2:7). She supported that also....... She endured the responsability
while she was in a tender age. She supported the magnificent glory which
surrounded her, without being harrassed by the thoughts of greatness.
It was not possible for her to declare that she has given birth while
she was a virgin, so she kept silent and endured that.
She suffered the tiring voyage to Egypt and back. She suffered to be
expelled there from town to town, because the idols were falling down in
front of the Christ (Is. 19:1). She suffered to be a poor foreigner. She
suffered that a sword would pierce through her own soul also (Luke 2:35)
because of that which her Son met, the persecutions, the insults, and
lastly the suffering and the shame of the cross.......
The Virgin was not satisfied only to endure negatively, but she
lived in the jubilation by the Lord as she said in her hymn: "my spirit has rejoiced in God my
Saviour" (Luke 1:47).
FAITH AND NOT GRUMBLING
She did not grumble at all in all that she suffered. When Herod
menaced to kill her Son, in the flight to Egypt, and in the persecutions
from the Jews, she did not say, where is the announcement that He will sit
to reign on the throne of his father David....and there will be no end to his
kingdom (Luke 1: 32-33)! But she was rather patient; and as Elizabeth
said about her "And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a
performance of those things which were told her from the Lord"
(Luke 1:45).
She believed that she will give birth while remaining a virgin, and
that was realised for her.
She believed that the "Holy One who is to be born will be called the
Son of God." (Luke 1:35), in spite of his birth in a manger. What she
believed in, was realised for her, by way of the visions and the angels
whom she saw, and the miracles which were accomplished by Him. She
believed in all that, in spite of the persecutions to which He was
exposed.......
She believed while He was on the cross, then she saw Him after His
resurrection from the dead (Matt. 28).
SILENCE, PRAYER, AND MEDITATION
It was God who arranged that she became an orphan and lived in the
temple.
18
In the temple, she learned the life of solitude and silence, and to
become preoccupied with prayer and meditation. Having lost the love
and tenderness of her parents, she became preoccupied with the love of
God alone. She lived a life of seclusion with prayers, hymns, reading of the
Holy Bible, study and recall from memory of many of its verses, and of
the psalms. Certainly her hymn in the house of Elizabeth is a proof of
that, because the majority of its verses are taken from the psalms and the
verses of the Holy Bible.
Silence became one of the characteristics of her spirituality.
Although she was in the events of the Nativity: having seen wonderful
things which probably exceed the endurance of her age as a small girl,
and miracles that surrounded her, and having heard the words of angels,
shepherds, and wise men from the East.......... she did not speak proudly
about the events of the Nativity, but "kept all these things and pondered
them in her heart" (Luke 2"19).
The silent meditating Virgin is a lesson for us. May we be like
her: meditating much, and speaking a little. Nevertheless I see, that when time came for her to speak, she
became a source for the ecclesiastical tradition, in some of the news
which the apostles and the evangelists learned from her: the miracles and
the events during the flight to Egypt, and the conversation of the Christ
among the masters in the temple while He was young (Luke 3: 46-47).
OTHER VIRTUES
The Lord has chosen this poor orphan girl, to become the foremost
woman in existence. She possessed in her virtues what is more than
riches.
Also among her virtues, there are her personal sanctity, her purity
and her virginity, her spiritual knowledge, her service to others, and her
spiritual motherhood to the fathers apostles.
Time would lack if we were to speak about all her virtues.
HER BLESSINGS
O how many are the blessings that were given to the Virgin! They were mentionned in the melodies of the Church, in the hymns,
in the "theotokies" (praise of the mother of God), the songs, the
doxologies (praise of benediction), in each day of her feasts days, in the
book of praises for the month of Kiahk, in the hymns of the Church, and
in the book of praises (Psalmodiah).
The Church mentions her before the archangels when citing the
names of the assembly of the saints; and so also in all her intercessional
In the temple, she learned the life of solitude and silence, and to
become preoccupied with prayer and meditation. Having lost the love
and tenderness of her parents, she became preoccupied with the love of
God alone. She lived a life of seclusion with prayers, hymns, reading of the
Holy Bible, study and recall from memory of many of its verses, and of
the psalms. Certainly her hymn in the house of Elizabeth is a proof of
that, because the majority of its verses are taken from the psalms and the
verses of the Holy Bible.
Silence became one of the characteristics of her spirituality.
Although she was in the events of the Nativity: having seen wonderful
things which probably exceed the endurance of her age as a small girl,
and miracles that surrounded her, and having heard the words of angels,
shepherds, and wise men from the East.......... she did not speak proudly
about the events of the Nativity, but "kept all these things and pondered
them in her heart" (Luke 2"19).
The silent meditating Virgin is a lesson for us. May we be like
her: meditating much, and speaking a little. Nevertheless I see, that when time came for her to speak, she
became a source for the ecclesiastical tradition, in some of the news
which the apostles and the evangelists learned from her: the miracles and
the events during the flight to Egypt, and the conversation of the Christ
among the masters in the temple while He was young (Luke 3: 46-47).
OTHER VIRTUES
The Lord has chosen this poor orphan girl, to become the foremost
woman in existence. She possessed in her virtues what is more than
riches.
Also among her virtues, there are her personal sanctity, her purity
and her virginity, her spiritual knowledge, her service to others, and her
spiritual motherhood to the fathers apostles.
Time would lack if we were to speak about all her virtues.
HER BLESSINGS
O how many are the blessings that were given to the Virgin! They were mentionned in the melodies of the Church, in the hymns,
in the "theotokies" (praise of the mother of God), the songs, the
doxologies (praise of benediction), in each day of her feasts days, in the
book of praises for the month of Kiahk, in the hymns of the Church, and
in the book of praises (Psalmodiah).
The Church mentions her before the archangels when citing the
names of the assembly of the saints; and so also in all her intercessional
19
prayers. The Church, in her blessing of the Virgin, realises the prophecy
which she said in her hymn:
"For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed"
(Luke 1:48).
The Church offers incense to her, and presents greetings to her.
Many are the hymns which begin with the expression "Hail to Mary"
(shara na Maria, in Coptic), or the hymns which begin with the
expression "Rejoice O Mary", or the hymn where the prophet David
moves the ten cords of his guitar, and he mentions a blessing to her in
each cord.
We mention her in the book of prayers of the hours, and in the
mass, and in all the books of the Church: In the Synaxaire, in the "Difnar", in the "Katamaras", in the
"Psalmodia", and in all the books of hymns and responses.........
We mention her in the book of the prayers of the hours, in the third
paragraph of every prayer in the prayers of the day, asking for her
intercession. We mention her in the creed, and we say in its prelude:" We
exalt you, O mother of the True Light and we glorify you, O saint Virgin,
mother of God......."
We mention her in the prayer of the benediction, in its beginning
and in its end. We begin the benediction saying: "through the prayers and
supplications and implorations which the mother of God, the saint pure
Virgin, raises every time for our sake". And after mentioning the names
of the angels, the apostles, the prophets, the martyrs, and all the saints, we
terminate the benediction saying: "and the blessing of our Lady the
Virgin firstly and lastly".....
THE ICON OF THE VIRGIN
There is a difference between images for meditation, and an icon
for the rites.
In the icons, it is indispensable that she appears with the Christ, as
being the mother of God.
She must be at his right side, for it has been said in the psalm: "At
your right hand stands the queen" (Ps. 45:9).
And because she is a queen, there must be a crown on her head,
and so the Christ.
As a saint, there must be a halo of light around her head, for the
Lord said: "You are the light of the world" (Matt. 5:14).
Because she is the second heaven, there are stars, angels, and
clouds around her.
prayers. The Church, in her blessing of the Virgin, realises the prophecy
which she said in her hymn:
"For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed"
(Luke 1:48).
The Church offers incense to her, and presents greetings to her.
Many are the hymns which begin with the expression "Hail to Mary"
(shara na Maria, in Coptic), or the hymns which begin with the
expression "Rejoice O Mary", or the hymn where the prophet David
moves the ten cords of his guitar, and he mentions a blessing to her in
each cord.
We mention her in the book of prayers of the hours, and in the
mass, and in all the books of the Church: In the Synaxaire, in the "Difnar", in the "Katamaras", in the
"Psalmodia", and in all the books of hymns and responses.........
We mention her in the book of the prayers of the hours, in the third
paragraph of every prayer in the prayers of the day, asking for her
intercession. We mention her in the creed, and we say in its prelude:" We
exalt you, O mother of the True Light and we glorify you, O saint Virgin,
mother of God......."
We mention her in the prayer of the benediction, in its beginning
and in its end. We begin the benediction saying: "through the prayers and
supplications and implorations which the mother of God, the saint pure
Virgin, raises every time for our sake". And after mentioning the names
of the angels, the apostles, the prophets, the martyrs, and all the saints, we
terminate the benediction saying: "and the blessing of our Lady the
Virgin firstly and lastly".....
THE ICON OF THE VIRGIN
There is a difference between images for meditation, and an icon
for the rites.
In the icons, it is indispensable that she appears with the Christ, as
being the mother of God.
She must be at his right side, for it has been said in the psalm: "At
your right hand stands the queen" (Ps. 45:9).
And because she is a queen, there must be a crown on her head,
and so the Christ.
As a saint, there must be a halo of light around her head, for the
Lord said: "You are the light of the world" (Matt. 5:14).
Because she is the second heaven, there are stars, angels, and
clouds around her.
20
Intercede for us, O saint Virgin, in order that the Lord would
include us in His mercy.
Intercede for us, O saint Virgin, in order that the Lord would
include us in His mercy.
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