The Feasts of the Virgin Mary and Her Symbols in the Old Testament

the Virgin Mary in the Coptic Orthodox Church through her many feasts, titles, Old Testament symbols, and her deep connection to the mystery of the Incarnation and the work of the Holy Spirit.

🕊️ First: The Feasts of the Virgin Mary

His Holiness Pope Shenouda III explains that the Virgin Mary is distinguished from all saints by the abundance of her feasts, including:

• The Annunciation of her birth.

• Her Nativity.

• Her Dormition, commemorated monthly on the twenty-first day of the Coptic month.

• The Feast of the Assumption of her body.

• Feasts related to her miracles and apparitions.
  The Church also dedicates the entire month of Kiahk to her praises in preparation for the Nativity of Christ.

🕊️ Second: Symbols of the Virgin in the Old Testament

The Old Testament contains many symbols pointing to the Virgin Mary, such as:

• The Burning Bush: symbolizing her who bore divinity without losing her virginity.

• The Censer: symbolizing the union of divinity and humanity.

• The Ark of the Covenant: which contained the manna, the tablets of the Law, and Aaron’s rod.

• Aaron’s Budding Rod: symbol of fruitful virginity.

• The Pot of Manna: symbol of Christ, the Bread of Life.

🕊️ Third: Titles of the Virgin Mary

She is called:

• The Second Heaven, as she became God’s dwelling place.

• The City of God and Zion.

• The Queen standing at the right hand of the King.

• The True Vine who bore the Cluster of Life.

• The Good Dove who brought the message of salvation and peace.
  Her greatest title is Theotokos (Mother of God), affirmed by the Council of Ephesus.

🕊️ Fourth: The Virgin Mary and the Holy Spirit

The lecture emphasizes that the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Virgin Mary was a unique hypostatic indwelling:

• He sanctified her womb from original sin.

• He formed the divine Child from her blood without human seed.
  Thus, the mystery of the Incarnation was accomplished through the Holy Spirit and the Virgin together.

🕊️ Fifth: The Virgin Mary as Mother of the New Humanity

The Virgin Mary became:

• The mother of all believers by Christ’s command.

• The source of the restoration of woman’s dignity in the New Testament.

• A vessel of immense spiritual blessing, as even her greeting filled Elizabeth and her unborn child with the Holy Spirit.

✨ Spiritual Conclusion

Honoring the Virgin Mary is glorifying God’s work within her. She is the model of obedience and faith, and the vessel through whom salvation was accomplished. Her feasts and symbols proclaim the unity of Scripture and reveal the depth of the mystery of the Incarnation and the work of the Holy Spirit.

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