On the occasion of Mother’s Day, His Holiness Pope Shenouda III speaks about the dignity of women and the greatness of motherhood in human life and in the Church. He affirms that honoring one’s mother is not a favor but a divine commandment: “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the earth” — the first commandment with a promise.

The labor and sacrifices of mothers

The Pope recalls the mother’s journey of suffering and love — through pregnancy, childbirth, nursing, and raising her children. She nourishes them with her own body and endures all hardship out of love. Forgetting her favor is ingratitude, for the mother is the first source of tenderness and the deepest human relationship.

The example of Christ and the Virgin Mary

He highlights the love of Christ for His mother, the Virgin Mary — His obedience to her in childhood, His miracle at Cana for her sake, and His care for her even at the cross when He entrusted her to St. John. The Virgin Mary is thus the Mother of the whole Church and of all believers.

The Church as a spiritual mother

The Church is called “Mother” because she gave birth to us in baptism, nourished us with orthodox faith and teaching, grants us the sacraments, and prays for us in life and death. She is the mother who never abandons her children.

Honoring mothers in the Bible

The Pope recalls holy mothers from Scripture:

• Eve, mother of all living, blessed through her seed.

• Jochebed, mother of Moses, Aaron, and Miriam, a model of faithful upbringing.

• Hannah, mother of Samuel the prophet, who dedicated her son to God.

• Elizabeth, mother of John the Baptist, filled with the Holy Spirit.

• Ruth, who loved her mother-in-law Naomi with rare devotion.

• St. Helena, the queen who discovered the Holy Cross.

Mothers of the saints

He honors mothers who produced saints, such as St. Monica, mother of St. Augustine, whose prayers brought his repentance, and the mother of St. Basil the Great, who raised a family of saints and bishops.

Spiritual and martyr mothers

He praises the mothers who offered their children as martyrs — like St. Dolagy, St. Rebecca, and St. Julitta — and the spiritual mothers like St. Sarah, St. Melania, and St. Demiana, who guided monks and nuns in holiness.

A call to appreciate women and their service

The Pope concludes by emphasizing the vital role of women in the Church, calling for the organization and recognition of their service, noting how faithful mothers preserved Christianity in Russia during times of persecution.

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