The magnificence of the Holy Virgin Mary
The Virgin magnificence has been confirmed by Ecumenical Council of Ephesus (431A.D). Which,
Was attended by two hundred bishops from all over the world, and which established the introduction to the Creed: We magnify you, the Mother of the True Light. We glorify you, O Saint, the Mother of God (Theotokos) (()e`otokoc) for you brought forth unto us the Savior of the whole world. He came and saved our souls.
Whence, on what grounds did the council establish this introduction??
This is what we shall present in the following:-
+ The Holy Virgin is the blessed Saint, who is to be beatified throughout all ages, as mentioned in her praise: Henceforth all generations will call me blessed [Luke 1:46]
+ The church calls her the queen whom the psalm predicted, at Your Right Hand stands the queen [Psalm 45: 9]
Whence, in trying to draw her icon, painters place a crown on her head, while she appears at the right hand of our Lord Jesus Christ.
+ Honoring the holy Virgin is evident in the greeting of the Angel Gabriel to her: Rejoice, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women. [Luke 1: 28] Elizabeth said also, Why is this granted to me that the mother of My Lord should come to me? [Luke 1: 43]
Perhaps one of the clearest evidence of the dignity of the Virgin and of her elevated rank in the sight of the Lord, is that when Elizabeth heard the greeting of St. Mary, the babe leaped in her womb and she was filled with the Holy Spirit.
Truly, it is an amazing majesty, that St. Marys mere greeting has filled Elizabeth of the Holy Spirit, and made her ready to prophesy and for revelation;
The majesty of the Virgin is manifested in being:
- 1.She is the elected by the Lord from among all women. She is the only woman whom the divine plan waited for thousands of years, until He came upon her and found her worthy of the great honor which Gabriel the angel proclaimed as The Holy Spirit will overshadow you,: therefore ,also that Holy One Who is to be born will be called the Son of God.[Luke1:35]
- 2. In her greatness, the Virgin excels all women. Therefore the divine inspiration says about her, Many daughters have done well, but you excel them all. (Proverbs 31:29.
- 3. This holy Virgin was in the Lords mind and plans since the beginning. For the sake of salvation with which He promised our first Parents, He said that the Seed of the woman should bruise the serpents head. (Genesis 3:15) This woman is the Virgin Mary, and her Seed is Jesus Christ who bruised the Serpents head on the Cross
Life encompassed by miracles
Miracles started in the Virgins life before her birth and continued after her departure as being cited in the following:
1- The miracle of her being conceived with, of two barren parents, after the good tidings of the Lords angel.
2- The miracle of her betrothal through a plan that elected Saint Joseph to take care of her.
3- The miracle of her conception with Jesus Christ in her virginity, and her perpetual virginity after birth.
4- The miracle that happened at her meeting with Elizabeth, who, at hearing the Virgins greeting the babe leaped for joy in her womb, and she was filled with the Holy Spirit.
5- The innumerable of miracles that occurred during her presence in Egypt, among which was the tottering of the idols of Egypt. (Isaiah 19:1)
6- The first miracle performed by our Lord Jesus Christ at the wedding of Cana, was in response to her request.
7- The miracle of the dissolution of the chains and releasing Saint Mathias the apostle, was performed through her intercession.
8- The miracle of the Lords presence to receive her soul at her departures hour.
9- The miracle of the plague which hit the Jews who violated her burial service at her departure.
10- The miracle of her body’s assumption to heaven.
11- The countless of miracles she has performed everywhere and which are cited in many books.
12- Her apparitions in many places and in specific her apparition in Zeitoon and Papa Duplo in Cairo. And more miracles that occur currently everywhere, and will continue to witness for her honor.