A Word about the Virgin Mary

The talk is about the Virgin Mary and opens with a brief account of her life: her birth, her upbringing in the temple since her childhood, the loss of her parents, and her being cared for in the house of Joseph the carpenter. The speaker mentions that the Virgin has many feasts in which the church commemorates her virtue and role.

Feasts and brief biography

• The Annunciation of her birth.
• Her Dormition feast (21 Toba) and her remembrance every month on the 21st.
• The feast of the Ascension of her body (16 Mesra corresponding to August 22).
• The feast of her saving of Saint Matthias from chains (the Iron feast) and the building of the first church in her name in Philippi.
• The month of Kiahk is filled with hymns to the Virgin as preparation for the Nativity.

Biblical symbols and their meanings

The speaker likens the Virgin to several Old Testament symbols: the burning bush that Moses saw, Aaron’s censer (the “shouria”) which symbolizes the union of divinity with humanity, the Ark of the Covenant that contained the shewbread, Aaron’s rod and the tablets, and the shewbread which symbolizes Christ. These symbols emphasize that she was a sacred vessel bearing the incarnate God.

The Holy Spirit’s descent and the Incarnation

The talk affirms that the Holy Spirit’s coming upon the Virgin was a personal (hypostatic) descent, and that He sanctified her repository so that her son would not inherit original sin. The Holy Spirit formed the embryo in her womb by divine action, thereby realizing the union of divinity and humanity in the person of Christ. It also mentions the effect of her visit to Elizabeth where Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and John the Baptist leaped in her womb.

Titles and spiritual role

The Virgin is given many titles: Mother of God (Theotokos), Mother of the Light, Mother of the Savior, Mother of the Holy One, Queen, the second heaven, the city of God, the true vine. These titles shaped her place in theology and liturgical worship, showing how the church honors her person and invites the faithful to offer her greeting and incense.

Spiritual wisdom and guidance

The speaker indicates that the Virgin is not merely a historical figure but an example of piety and service: her qualities of worship, reading and hymns, and compassion for the poor designate her as a model for believers. He also calls to abandon an old negative view of womanhood and to recognize her role in the salvation of humanity.

Conclusion and blessing

The speaker concludes with a blessing for the fast and a prayer for a holy blessed fast, encouraging listeners to imitate her piety and love for God and people.

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