In this lecture, His Holiness Pope Shenouda III speaks about the perpetual virginity of the Virgin Mary, one of the major differences between the Orthodox and the Protestants. His Holiness presents the Protestant objections and replies with precise biblical and theological explanations.

🔹 1. The Meaning of “Firstborn”
The Pope explains that “firstborn” does not necessarily mean that there were children after him, but it means “the one who opens the womb,” as stated in Exodus 13:1–2. Every firstborn is called “firstborn” whether other children followed or not. Thus, the phrase “her firstborn son” only means “her first child,” not that she had others.

🔹 2. The Expression “Your Wife” or “His Wife”
He clarifies that in Scripture the word “woman” or “wife” does not always indicate marital relations, but can refer to a fiancée or simply a female. Eve was called “woman” before marriage, and Mary was called Joseph’s “wife” though she was only betrothed.

🔹 3. The Phrase “He did not know her until she gave birth”
The Pope explains that “until” in biblical language does not mean that the opposite happened afterward. For example, “Michal had no child until she died” (2 Samuel 6:23) does not mean she bore after death. Thus, “did not know her until she gave birth” only stresses the virgin birth.

🔹 4. The Purpose of the Gospel Texts
These phrases aim to prove that Christ’s birth was virginal, conceived by the Holy Spirit and not by man, and therefore He is the Incarnate Son of God, born without sin to redeem humanity. The perpetual virginity of Mary is part of the faith in Christ’s divinity and purity.

🔹 5. On “the Brothers of the Lord”
The Pope teaches that in Jewish custom, “brother” can mean a close relative, not only a sibling. Lot was called Abraham’s “brother” though he was his nephew. The “brothers” of Jesus — James, Joses, Simon, and Jude — were sons of Mary the wife of Clopas, a relative of the Virgin, not Mary herself.

🔹 6. Evidence for the Virgin’s Perpetual Virginity

1. From the Cross, Jesus entrusted His mother to John, which He would not do if she had other sons.

2. During the flight into Egypt, no other children are mentioned.

3. Ezekiel 44:2 prophetically refers to the closed gate through which the Lord entered — symbolizing the Virgin’s womb that remained ever closed.

🔹 Main Message:
His Holiness affirms that the Virgin’s perpetual virginity is a divine miracle, for she is the Mother of God who conceived by the Holy Spirit and remained pure before, during, and after birth — a central truth of Orthodox Christian faith.

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