The Virgin Mary (Theotokos)

	Over the years, thousands of books and articles have been written about the Virgin, the Pure, the 
Full of Grace, the Mother of Mercy, the Spring of Life, the Rising Morning Star, the Mother of the Savior, 
Saint Mary, the Mother of God (Theotokos) in truth. We can only write a few humble words of 
appreciation asking for her intercession and prayers for the writer and readers alike. According to the 
teachings of the Fathers of the Church few have the privilege of intercession: Mary is first and foremost, 
followed by the archangels, and John the Baptist. The others, whom we adore, such as the Apostles, St. 
Mena, St. George, St. Philopateer Marcurius, St. Demiana, ..etc.  pray for us 

	In prophecy, she was mentioned many times. Moses saw her as the burning bush near the 
mountain of Sinai where he received the Commandments. Isiah prophesied a thousand years before the 
Virgin birth saying: "Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold a Virgin shall conceive and 
bear son and shall call his name Emmanuel (God among Us)" (Isiah 7:14). David the prophet and king 
said about her: "She shall be brought unto the king in raiment of needle-work: the Virgins her 
companions that follow her shall be brought unto thee" (Psalms 45:14) Thus David honored her and those 
who follow her example, they become the Brides of the King of Kings. Ezekiel in his vision was brought 
to the east gate of the temple and the Lord said unto him: "This gate shall be shut, it shall not be opened, 
and no man shall enter in by it: Because the Lord, the God of Israel, hath entered in by it, therefore it shall 
be shut." (Ezekiel 44:2) and we know that God does not live in houses made by hands. So what is Ezekiel 
talking about, he is talking about Mary the Mother of God who was chosen from among all women, a pure 
Virgin and she remained pure. Solomon said about her: "A garden inclosed is my sister, my spouse; a 
spring shut up, a fountain sealed" (Song 4:12) same meaning.  Solomon about her also said: "My beloved, 
and my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem" (Song 5:16) which we repeat in the morning praises every day.

	She was born to Joachim (Yo-wakeem) and Anna from the tribe of Juda from the seed of David 
the King. This was to prove to one and all that Jesus is King who came to save sinners since David the 
King comes from the seed of Rahaab the Harlot (sinner). Her mother Anna was barren (unable to conceive 
a child). Anna and Joachim prayed exceedingly (many times) asking for a child since it was a shameful 
thing in their days not to bear a child. They promised to dedicate their offspring (child) to the service of 
the Lord according to St. Isaac Avraam the Syrian: "I promise to place in your hands the offspring you 
give me. I will bring my offspring to the temple as soon as it is able to walk on its feet." They did just that 
when Mary was only three years of age.  The Lord heard and accepted this prayer like the prayer of 
Abrahaam and Sarah to whom He gave Isaac. It took a long time for the prayer of Abrahaam and Sarah to 
be fulfilled, the same for Joachim and Anna. In the meantime, both couples suffered from vicious talk and 
mockings. A lesson in patience and faith: "The substance of things unseen". 

	At the appointed time (God's time), On God's schedule, Anna conceived and gave birth to 
the one who became worthy to be called the Mother of God in Truth (Theotokos). Mary was in her parents 
home until she was 3 years of age. Her parents brought her to the temple, a child, at this young age to 
fulfill their promise. Her father Joachim departed when she was 6 years of age. Her mother Anna 
continued to visit her until Anna departed. this was when Mary was only 8 years of age. Mary continued 
in the temple until age 12. She was known to serve the elders and read the Holy Books continuously. 
According to the traditions concerning females who were dedicated to the Lord, she had to leave the 
temple at age 12. According to Coptic tradition, the priests and elders of the Jews including Zakariah, 
later on, the father of John the Baptist, brought up the subject of marriage to her in front of all the people. 
According to tradition, "they took the staffs of many of the elders and young and tagged them. And they 
decided that staff that will show a sign by budding like a flower, was to be an indication as to whom God 
chosen for her." The staff which belonged to Joseph the Carpenter, one of the respected elders, a cousin of 
Mary from the tribe of Juda, and  the seed of David the King budded which was the sign they were 
looking for. Joseph the Carpenter was chosen as her 'spouse'. Mistaken are those who say that Joseph took 
Mary as wife. She was only betrothed (engaged) to him. Joseph was an elder and when he took her to his 
home, she spent her time in his house in prayers and worship, continued to read the Holy Books, and 
serve the widows, needy, and old, as she did when she lived within the walls of the temple.  Although the 
Bible did not detail her life, it clearly states: ".. the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a virgin espoused 
to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and this virgin's name was Mary". (Luke 1:29). 
So any talk about her marrying Joseph and having other children is utter nonsense. the angel said: "Hail, 
thou that are highly favored (full of grace in other translations), the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou 
among women." (Luke 1:29).

	Mary showed great humility in her reply: "My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath 
rejoiced in God my Savior. For He hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for behold, from 
henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and 
holy is his name. And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation ..He hath put 
down the mighty from their seats and exalted them of low degree. .." (Luke 1:46-55). A long and most 
humbling address which deserves to be recited often, because it teaches humility especially when it comes 
from the Theotokos.

	Her visit to Elizabeth was so overwhelming, the baby moved in her womb in owe and worship, 
Elizabeth prophesied saying: " Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And 
whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me." (Luke 1: 42-43). It was a great 
encounter between the mother of the Savior, and the mother of the forerunner "the messenger who goes in 
front of him to prepare his way" 

	Many of the things that are recorded in the Bible (New Testament) concerning Jesus were relayed 
to the disciples and Apostles by Mary Theotokos: "All these things, kept she in her heart." (Luke 2:51). 
Without her diligence, we would not have learned about his childhood; the visit to Egypt; the visit to the 
temple; the encounter with Simeon the elder; and Anna the daughter of Phanuel; His teaching in the 
temple and staying behind at age 12 telling Mary and Joseph that He must teach in his Father's House (the 
temple),  .. etc. Mary told these incidents to the disciples and apostles. That is how they came to be 
mentioned in the Gospels, especially in Matthew, Mark and Luke. The book of John was written later 
about the divinity, assuming, the existence of the other three Gospels.  The first miracle that Jesus 
performed was at the wedding in Cana of Galilee. It was at the urging of his mother who being the 
dedicated servant of God was concerned about all the needs of the people, even as small as running out of 
wine (refreshment) at a wedding. Thus the first miracle of Jesus, turning water into wine. She was one of 
the women honored in the bible because they followed Jesus and served (attended to his needs) from their 
own money. She was also at the cross under his feet when he was crucified for the sins of the world.  

	Mary was entrusted to John the beloved (Apostle, Disciple, writer of the Gospel according to St. 
John, Revelation, and three epistles). John was one of the four fishermen Jesus called first to be his 
disciples, they are Peter and his older brother Andrew and John and his older brother James. John rested 
his head on the Lord's chest and John's mother is the one who asked Jesus if her sons can sit one on his 
right and the other on his left in his kingdom. John the son of Zebedee was very close to Jesus and was the 
one chosen by Christ to care for his mother: "when Jesus therefore, saw his mother, and the disciple 
standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the 
disciple, behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home." (John 19:26). 
These words are very deep in meaning and symbol. First, Jesus cared for his mother, he arranged for her 
to be taken care of by the best. Do we care for our elders, do we try to arrange the best for them. Extended 
families are much better than nursing homes if they can be arranged and made work. 

	Second, this verse tells us that she lived in the house of John, which we believe was the situation 
to the end of her blessed life. The talk about her marrying and having other children is utter nonsense, 
because if she had natural children they would have been required to care for her instead of John. The 
brothers the Gospels speak about are the children of her sister Mary the wife of Cleophas: “Now there 
stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary 
Magdalene.” (John 19:25) (She had a sister born after her and given the same name since by deidcating 
her , Anna and Joachim considered her  not theirs anymore). Also, who would care for these small things 
after giving birth to the Lord Jesus Christ.

	The virgin Mary was with the disciples when Jesus entered while the doors were locked. This 
occurred several times in the period between his resurrection and his ascension 40 days later. She also was 
in the upper room when the Holy Spirit descended on them like tongues of fire as they received the 
promise of the Father on the day of Pentecost. 

	According to our Church tradition, when Her Son's will was for her to depart our world (the 
world of falsehood), and to be with him in his paradise, which was fifteen years after his ascension, he 
sent an angel to tell her the news of her departure, which she received with great delight. She asked that 
the disciples and apostles be gathered from around the world (it was a busy time in evangelism history). 
When she saw most of them together, she was filled with happiness, encouraged them, and informed them 
that the time of her departure arrived. She then advised and blessed them and surrendered her pure soul in 
the hands of her Lord and Savior, her son Jesus Christ. 

	They buried her in Gassemani. But Thomas, the disciple, the doubter, was not with the others. He 
was preaching in the Lands of India and Persia. But, as he was on his way back, by heavenly knowledge, 
he saw her body carried by angels and ascending to heaven. When he arrived in Judea, he asked the where 
abouts of the blessed virgin. When they told him about her departure, he again raised his doubts as was 
expected. They took him to Gassemani, and when they opened the tomb where they buried her, they 
realized that the body was not there. Thomas then told them about what he saw on his way back from 
India. They all prayed and fasted and it was revealed to them that her body was carried by the angels to 
heaven to be waiting in paradise (the place of rest) until the day in which Jesus will come to Judge 
everyone according to his deeds. On this day the queen (the church) will be sitting on the right-hand of 
the King (Christ) in his Glory. Also, on this day a queen (Mary) will be sitting on the right hand of a King 
(her son Jesus) and they will all say: "This is the daughter (Mary) that freed her mother (the church). 

	Our Church celebrates the ascension of the virgin Mary on the 16th of Misra which occurs on the 
22nd of August every year. The celebration is preceded by a popular fast which starts on August 7th. In 
my beloved Egypt, we all fasted those two weeks with joy and uplifted spirits. Some of my non-Christian 
friends even fasted with us, asking the prayers and intercession of the mother of mercy. Many churches 
are named in her honor world wide. In our beloved Egypt, and elsewhere, many apparitions of Mary 
accompanied by miracles and wonders, continue to take place.  The apparition at St. Mary's in Zeitoun in 
1968 and at St. Demiana in Shoubra in 1986 are very popular, for the apparitions continued for over a 
year in each of these places. The prayers and intercession of the Virgin Mary Theotokos be with us all. 
Glory be to God forever. Amen.

(C) Revised 1997; Dr. William A. Hanna; St. Mary & St. Abraam Coptic Orthodox Church; St. Louis, 
Missouri 63146; USA. (C) 1994; Dr. William A. Hanna; Essays for Orthodox Youth.