The Sermon on the Virgin in Doctrine
🌿 Summary of the Lecture by His Holiness Pope Shenouda III: “The Greatness of the Virgin in Doctrine”
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III spoke about the greatness of the Virgin Mary from a doctrinal point of view, without delving into the spiritual aspects that everyone already knows.
🔹 First: He mentioned the Council of Ephesus, which declared that the Virgin is Theotokos — the Mother of God, as we also proclaim in the Creed and in the hymns when we say:
“We magnify you, O Mother of the True Light.”
🔹 Second: He affirmed that the Virgin is blessed among all generations, as written:
“Henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.”
🔹 Third: She is the Queen standing at the right hand of the King, according to the Psalm:
“At Your right hand stands the queen, O King.”
Therefore, in the liturgical icon, the Virgin is depicted standing at the right hand of Christ, both wearing crowns.
🔹 Fourth: Her greatness appears in the angel’s greeting:
“Hail to you, full of grace.”
He corrected the Catholic misunderstanding that “full of grace” means she was born without original sin, clarifying that she said:
“My spirit rejoices in God my Savior,”
which shows that she too needed salvation.
🔹 Fifth: Her greatness is revealed in her visit to Elizabeth, when the latter was filled with the Holy Spirit at Mary’s greeting and said:
“Blessed are you among women.”
🔹 Sixth: God chose her from among all women of the world, fulfilling the verse:
“Many daughters have done well, but you excel them all.”
🔹 Seventh: The Virgin was in God’s plan from the beginning, as He told Eve:
“The seed of the woman shall crush the serpent’s head,”
and that woman is Mary the Virgin.
🔹 Eighth: She was called the Mother of the Apostles and of the whole Church, since Christ said to John:
“Behold your mother.”
🔹 Ninth: She is the Mother of the True Light, because Christ Himself is the True Light (John 1:9).
🔹 Tenth: She was present with the apostles on the day of Pentecost, and her Dormition and the assumption of her body into heaven are among the great miracles that manifest her glory.
🌸 Titles and Symbols of the Virgin in the Church Tradition
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The Golden Censer – for the fire (symbol of divinity) united with the coal (symbol of humanity) in her womb.
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The Burning Bush – which burned but was not consumed, symbolizing the union of divinity and humanity without corruption.
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Aaron’s Rod that Budded – symbolizing her virginity and the miraculous birth of life from her.
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The Tablets of the Law – for she carried within her the Word of God.
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The Pot of Manna – as she carried Christ, the Bread of Life.
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The Ark of the Covenant – symbolizing her purity and holiness, being made of incorruptible wood and overlaid with gold inside and out.
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The Shut Gate of Ezekiel – through which the Lord entered and came out, yet it remained shut, symbolizing her perpetual virginity.
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The Second Heaven – for God dwelt within her; thus, she is often depicted in a starry robe surrounded by angels.
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The City of God, the New Jerusalem, Zion – as the Psalm says:
“Glorious things are spoken of you, O city of God.”
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The Tabernacle of Moses (the Tent of Meeting) – for God dwelt in it as He dwelt in the Virgin.
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The Great Cloud (Isaiah 19:1):
“Behold, the Lord comes riding on a light cloud,”
and this cloud is the Virgin Mary who bore the Lord and came into Egypt. -
The Beautiful Dove – symbol of simplicity and purity. Thus the priest in the liturgy says:
“Hail to you, O Virgin, the Beautiful Dove.”
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The True Vine – in whom was found the Cluster of Life, that is, Christ.
In conclusion, His Holiness said that in the next meeting, he would speak further about the Virgin’s position in doctrine and in liturgy, God willing.
