Today the fast of St. Virgin Mary starts and will extend for two weeks to end up with the feast of St. Virgin Mary on August 22nd.
When we talk about St. Virgin Mary, we only try to set sail in the features of her character. She had great deep love and great dignity in the hearts of all Egyptians whether Christians or Muslims; for her many characteristics mentioned in Torah, Holy Bible and Quran that no other character ever had in the history of mankind.
She surpassed all women in dignity and glory. When Archangel Gabriel announced to her the birth of Jesus Christ, he said that she was blessed among women and found a grace in the eyes of God.
Also it was mentioned that indeed God has purified her and chosen her above all women of the world. That’s why there is no doubt that all Egyptians love her deeply and she owns a special place within their hearts in addition to great veneration.
The Apostles had arranged that fast and they fasted themselves. As we previously mentioned that Thomas the Apostle who was the disciple of Jesus Christ was not there at the time of the departure of St. Virgin Mary, as he was preaching in India. When he returned he saw angels carrying her blessed body to heaven. When he met the rest of the apostles, he asked them about St. Virgin Mary, but they told him that she died.
And so he asked to see where they buried her! And when they all went to the grave, they didn’t find her blessed body! That’s when Thomas started narrating that he saw the angels carrying her blessed body to heaven. The other apostles longed to see that spectacular holy scene themselves. So did happen that they started to fast and that was on the first of Masarah until God showed them the body of Virgin Mary on Masarah 15th and they were blessed from.
Glimmers of the life of St. Virgin Mary
When we meditate in some aspects of her Holy life, we would find out that her life was full of many virtues such as: holiness, gentleness, endurance, spirit of service as well as modesty… etc.
Holiness
She lived at the temple since she was three years old away from her parents and she served God.
As his holiness Pope Shenouda III mentioned: “At the temple she learned the life of solitude and silence and to care for prayer and meditation, since she lost her parents’ love and their affection, she was passionate about the love of God only.”
That’s how her life was full of praises, prayers, reading the holy books, meditation and good deeds until she set a good example for holiness. She earned the grace of God and accordingly we found Archangel Gabriel saluting her saying: “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”
During her visit to Elizabeth the mother of the prophet John the Baptized she said to her: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!”
That’s why it was not a strange matter when her words were said in the form of prayers and praises to God: “My soul magnifies the Lord, And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.” It was a life that was filled with holiness, purity and the love of God.
Gentleness
We can’t find a life full of gentleness or love as the life of Virgin Mary. Moreover gentleness included many other virtues as well as in gentleness we can trace modesty, love, spirit of service, endurance, quietness and silence with all people while her heart was always busy praying to God.
One of the most important situations where we can see the gentleness of St. Virgin Mary was her service at the temple during her childhood with complete submission. Also; due to her gentleness she replied the angel: “Behold the maidservant of the Lord!”
During the flight of the Holy Family to Egypt, she endured a lot of expulsion and rejection situations but with gentleness she endured all with neither rage nor complaint.
When the Holy Family got welcomed in a place, she used to ask her son to bless it which led to lots of miracles.
Also we can see the gentleness of St. Virgin Mary as she was the one who hurried through the rugged paths to serve Elizabeth her relative during her pregnancy with John the baptized, and service never stopped through her life.
Happy many returns; at the beginning of the fast of St. Virgin Mary, we ask God to bless our beloved country with the prayers of St. Virgin Mary who blessed Egypt… Stories about Beautiful Egypt never end!
General Bishop
Head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center
