The Orthodox Christian Teaching

About the Life of The Holy Theotokos,

The Ever-Virgin Mary  

"Thou, O Theotokos, wast chosen out of all ages and generations to be the Mother of God in the saving incarnation. Wherefore, we magnify thee with hymns..." (Second Ikos, Akathist to the Joy of Canada)

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The whole world was in the darkness of sin and separation from God. Satan reigned in the world, and mankind was in bondage to the evil-one. The only dim hope to be found was in the promise of God to the Jews, that a redeemer would be sent. The only light, faintly burning, was in the words of the Hebrew prophets about this promise.

Through these prophets, and through the life of the Hebrew nation, God was preparing mankind so that those whose hearts were open could receive the promised Redeemer.

God had chosen a proper time for His great promise to be fulfilled. He had also chosen and prepared a very special woman through whom the fulfillment of this promise would come to pass. This woman was Mary, the daughter of Joachim and Anna. Here is the story of this special person, and of how God chose her.

If God were going to become man, to be born on earth as we are, He would have to choose a very special woman to be His mother on earth. This woman would have to be pure, holy and full of faith. She would have to be consecrated and guided from her childhood for this great service.

God selected the Virgin Mary. Like many of the Old Testament Prophets, she was chosen from her mother's womb and, like the great prophets Isaac, Samuel and John the Baptist, she was consecrated by a miraculous birth, in response to her parent's fervent prayers.

A very devout and God-loving couple, Joachim and Anna, lived in the city of Nazareth. He was descended from the great King David and she was a descendant of the house of the first priest, Aaron.

Joachim and Anna reached old age, but they had no children. This made them very sad, but they did not lose faith and hope, and they prayed to God for a child. Saints Joachim and Anna promised God that if He would give them a child, they would dedicate it to the service of God in the temple.

Once, at one of the great holidays of Israel, Joachim brought a gift to the temple in Jerusalem as an offering to God. But the chief priest refused to accept this gift, saying that Joachim and Anna's childlessness was a sign of their unworthiness.

In deep sorrow, Joachim went to the plains where his shepherds watched over his flocks of sheep. There, he began to fast and pray with tears that the Lord would deliver him and his beloved wife from their sorrow and give them a child.

Suddenly, an angel appeared to Joachim and said, "Do not be sorrowful, God has chosen you for a special service. Go home to your wife, and she will have a child through whom the whole world will be blessed."

When he heard these words, Joachim rose up and set out for home, glorifying God.

In the meantime, Anna had heard what had happened to her husband in Jerusalem. She wept bitterly in sorrow for her husband and for herself. Soon, however, she replaced her tears with prayer and fasting. The Lord heard the prayers of His faithful servant. He sent his angel to Anna also. As she was standing in the garden of her home, her hands lifted to God in prayer, the angel appeared before her and said: "Anna! Do not weep, for God has chosen you for his service. You will have a child, a girl, who will be given grace from God. Through her, salvation will come into the world."

Anna rejoiced in her soul and she gave glory to God for His great mercy. Now she watched for her husband to return, and her tears of sorrow had became tears of joy.

Joachim rushed home to tell Anna about the angel and his message. As soon as he approached, Anna hurried out to meet her husband and to tell him of her own vision. They tenderly embraced with deep love, and glorified God for everything.

The promise of God was soon fulfilled and to the great joy of Joachim and Anna, and all their relatives and friends, a daughter was born and they named her Mary. She was the one chosen to be the mother of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Joachim and Anna loved their daughter with their whole hearts, and they raised her with tenderness and affection. They did not forget, however, that she was a gift of God, and that they had promised to dedicate her to His service. Therefore, when Mary reached the age of three, Saints Joachim and Anna hurried to fulfill their promise to dedicate her to God and give her over to His temple for her education. The righteous parents faced this moment with a combination of sadness and great joy: sadness at parting with their only child, but joy at serving God. They were offering Him what He had given to them.

On the appointed day, the parents of the Virgin Mary, accompanied by relatives and maidens carrying lighted candles and chanting from the Psalms, led her to the Lord's temple. When the procession arrived at the temple, the Chief Priest Zachary and several other priests came to meet it. To the great surprise of everyone, the three year old girl began to walk up the fifteen steep stone steps to the temple porch all by herself, as if led and helped by her guardian angel. She did not stop until she reached the top step.

The great ascent of the Holy Virgin to the temple was accompanied by the reading of prayers and the chanting of Psalms by the priests. On the top step, she was met by the chief priest. And then a strange thing happened. No one except the High Priest was ever permitted into the most important part of the temple, the "holy of Holies"; in fact even the chief priest could only enter it once a year on the "day of purification" and sacrifice. Now, however, to everyone's surprise, Zachary, inspired by the Holy Spirit, led the young maiden Mary into the innermost sanctuary of the temple—into the "holy of Holies." Not only the people were amazed by this fact, but, as the Holy Church tells us in hymns, "The angels were amazed, seeing how she entered the holy of Holies."

A few years after Mary had been presented to God in the temple, her parents reposed in the Lord, leaving her an orphan. Her childhood years were spent living in the temple, serving God.

Very early in her life, Mary knew that she had been called to remain a virgin and spend her whole life in God's service. When she reached the age of twelve, she could no longer live in the temple. The chief priest and the rulers of the temple, hearing from Mary about her calling to remain a virgin for God's sake, prayed together and, being inspired by the Holy Spirit, they betrothed Mary to an elderly uncle of hers. His name was Joseph and, like Mary herself, he was descended from the house of King David. Joseph was already very elderly when he took the Virgin Mary to live in his house. They were betrothed so that Joseph could provide for her and give her protection and shelter, and take part in God's holy will. At the same time, she could look after Joseph and his household.

At the time God had chosen, the Holy Virgin was in her room praying and working on her sewing. Suddenly, a great light filled the room and Mary could see a radiant angel standing before her. She became frightened and, dropping her yarn, she raised her hand as if to shield herself from the bright light.

The radiant angel spoke to her gently, and with love and reverence in his voice: "Rejoice, O full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Thou art blessed among women."

Hearing this, Mary became confused and even more frightened. She thought, "But I'm only a lowly sinner. How can this angel call me 'Full of grace'?"

Then the angel told Mary that she was the one chosen to give birth to the Saviour. "But how can I give birth?" Mary answered. "I am a virgin."

The angel assured Mary, "The Holy Spirit will come to you and the power of the Most High God will shine over you." He told Mary that the child she would bear would be the Son of God, and that she would remain a virgin even after the child was born.

As the Archangel Gabriel said this, Mary prostrated herself on the floor to pray to God with tears.

The Child who then appeared in her womb was truly God Who was becoming man in order to save all people who would sincerely accept and follow Him. This is why we call the Virgin Mary "Theotokos." "Theotokos" means, "the one who bore God."

The angel told Mary of another miraculous birth: "Your relative Elizabeth, an old woman who has never had any children, is now pregnant. God has healed her so that she and her husband can have a child." This child was to be John the Baptist.

It is important for us to note Mary's birth, like that of Isaak, the founder of the holy nation, and Samuel, the purifier of the priesthood, and John the Baptist, forerunner of the Lord, was accomplished by a miracle of healing and regeneration. For, as the wombs of their aged mothers were all healed and regenerated so that they could bring forth new life, so the Church was healed by Christ so that it, too, could be life-bearing. These miraculous births were all prophecies about the healing and regeneration of God's Church.

In complete faith and humility, Mary very simply accepted God's will. "I am God's servant," she said to the angel. "Let it be as you say."

At that, the angel Gabriel departed. Later, he appeared to Joseph also and told him about the special Child Whom Mary was to bear.

Mary was filled with joy. She began to pray and fast even more now.

As soon as possible she went to the town where Elizabeth lived in the province of Judea.

The Lord's angel had already told Elizabeth about Mary's special Baby, how God Himself was going to become as a little child in order to save us. As Mary entered her house, Elizabeth rushed to meet her. Mary greeted her relative, "Rejoice, Elizabeth." At that moment the babe, John, who was in Elizabeth's womb, leapt for joy.

Elizabeth said, "How is it that the Mother of the Lord has come to visit me?"

Mary stayed with Elizabeth for three months and then returned to Nazareth. Joseph cared for the Holy Virgin with even greater respect and awe now.

At last the time arrived for God to come down to earth to save us. The pure Virgin Mary had been chosen and prepared to act as His mother.

At that time, the ruler of the land, Augustus, passed a law that everyone had to go to their hometown to pay a special tax. Since Joseph and Mary were descendants of the great King David, they had to go to the town of Bethlehem to pay the tax. Bethlehem was a long way from Nazareth. It was a hard journey, for Joseph was a very old man and Mary was with child. By the time Joseph and Mary had arrived in Bethlehem, there were no rooms left for them to rent. Joseph was very worried. In those days, there were no hospitals, and Mary was about to give birth to her Baby. There was not even a room for them. He searched everywhere, and at last, he found a manger-cave where cows and sheep were kept in times of bad weather.

Here were the descendants of the great Prophet-Kings David and Solomon, sleeping in a cave with cows and sheep.

On this night, the greatest of miracles took place. In this poor cave, Jesus Christ, our God and Creator, came into this world as a small baby in order to save mankind. Mary wrapped her Holy Child in cloth to keep Him warm, and placed Him in a manger. But in this poor and humble place a wondrous majesty surrounded the Everlasting Child.

Not far from the cave, the simple, believing shepherds of Bethlehem were keeping watch over their flocks of sheep. Some of them had gathered to talk. Perhaps they were even talking about God and His love for mankind.

Suddenly, in the midst of the night's darkness, a heavenly light appeared. It was an angel of God. The shepherds became frightened at such a wondrous sight.

The angel gently said, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy. Today, the Saviour is born in the city of David. He is Christ the Lord. You will find Him lying in a manger, wrapped in swaddling clothes."

At this moment, a whole host of angels appeared, rejoicing and chanting: "Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth, peace to men of good will!"

And then the angels disappeared. The shepherds, trembling in reverent fear said, "Let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing which has come to pass." They set out and found the manger-cave. When they saw the Christ-Child in the manger, they prostrated themselves to the ground and worshipped Him. Together they Glorified God, and told Joseph and Mary all that had happened in the field.

Mary treasured all these things in her heart and humbly glorified God for His great mercy.

At the time of Christ's birth, God also sent a special revelation to three Magi, who lived in the East. These three men had read the prophecies of the prophet Daniel about the coming of the Saviour. The Magi were counselors and astrologers to the Persian kings and Daniel himself had been a chief of the Magi in Babylon and Persia, so his prophecies were known in the East. Receiving this revelation they came a very long way, riding horses across the desert, following a vision which was like a star, which God had sent to guide them. They brought gifts for the Christ Child: gold, frankincense, and a spice oil called myrrh. When they came to the manger, they prostrated themselves and adored the Holy Baby. Then, leaving their gifts, the wise men returned home, glorifying God.

Mary kept all these things in her heart. They were too great for her to understand all at once, but God gave her understanding through the grace of His Holy Spirit.

Mary and Joseph raised the Child Jesus according to the law of God. We do not know when Joseph reposed, but he died before Jesus began his ministry.

When Jesus began to teach the people and to reveal who He was, Mary remembered all the things that had happened: how the angel had spoken to her and told her about her special Child and how the prophets Anna and Symeon had met Him in the temple in Jerusalem and prophesied about Him. Then she clearly understood His work on earth. She became the first disciple of the Saviour.

Once, when Mary and Jesus were invited to a wedding in the town of Cana, it was revealed to us that Mary is a unique disciple of Christ, and that her intercessions with Him are very powerful.

As Jesus and His mother, and the disciples sat at the wedding feast in Cana, Mary noticed that the host had run out of wine. Now, in the East, if a host runs out of wine during a feast — especially a wedding feast — it brings shame and embarrassment on his house. Because of this, Mary was moved with pity for the host. She turned to Jesus and said, "Son, they have no more wine." Jesus replied, "Yes, madam, but what does it matter to you and Me; My time to work miracles has not yet come." Mary knew, however, that her Son would fulfil her request, so she told the servants, "Do whatever He tells you." Jesus commanded the servants to fill the water pots with water. Then he blessed them and caused the water to become the finest wine.

Even though it was not yet time, according to God's plan, for Christ to begin His miracles, because of Mary's intercession, the order of God's plan was changed, and Christ worked the miracle ahead of time.

Christ now began His teaching and healing ministry, working miracles and revealing the nature of Redemption. Mary often followed Him as a disciple and humble servant. She was still a mother, however, and though she served Him as Lord, she worried about Him as a son. Once, when Jesus was teaching, she feared that He was exhausting Himself and so she came with some relatives to beg Him to rest. Jesus would take no rest but continued to teach.

As the time came for Jesus to end His ministry, Mary became more and more concerned. She knew that many sought to kill Jesus, and she had heard His own words that He would die on a cross. Nothing could prepare a mother to see her beloved son tortured and crucified for crimes which he did not commit. Mary knew that Jesus would be crucified because He had helped people and healed them. She knew that evil people hated Him for the good things that He had done.

No one can even imagine the grief and agony which pierced the heart and soul of the Theotokos as she stood near the cross gazing upon her tortured and wounded Son, hanging on the Cross. Her sister-in-law, Mary, wife of Joseph's brother Cleophas, stood by her side, supporting her, and Apostle John also stood nearby. His own grief was so great that he could barely offer Mary any comfort.

Then, despite His great suffering and pain, Jesus turned His head and looked lovingly upon His mother and upon John, the apostle who was closest to Him. At that moment, Jesus' thoughts were not upon His own suffering, but upon the welfare and safety of His mother. He said to Mary, "Madam, this will be your son." And to John He said, "Son, this is your mother."

From that time on, John treated Mary as his own mother, and she lived in his house.

The Theotokos had gathered together with the other apostles to pray after the burial of Jesus. She knew the promise of His Resurrection and so her sorrow was softened by hope. When the news of Christ's Resurrection came, the apostles and Mary were filled with wonder and with a joy which cannot be described. They saw the Saviour and spoke with Him again. For forty days, Mary was able to see her Son and hear Him once more. What grace, peace and joy filled her heart when she saw Him ascend in glory.

The Lord had commanded His disciples to gather together in prayer and fasting until the day of Pentecost, when they would receive the Holy Spirit.

After the Holy Spirit had come down from heaven upon the apostles, they went to preach the Gospel and establish the Holy Church in every nation.

Mary also traveled to other cities. When the holy Apostle John became Bishop of Ephesus, Mary went there and lived in his house for some time.

Much of the time, however, Mary lived in Jerusalem. She was greatly loved and revered by all the members of the Holy Church. The Virgin Mary was the holiest person on earth, because Christ our God had dwelt in her womb and she naturally was filled with a greater faith and understanding of Christ than any other human being could ever be. She had been His earthly mother and He had given her many gifts of grace.

Everyone must die sooner or later, no matter how holy they are. The time came for Mary to die also. Christ had already conquered death for us, however, and we know that everyone will rise from the grave just as Christ did on Holy Pascha. For this reason, we no longer say that a believing Orthodox Christian "dies;" we say that they "repose" or "fall asleep," because we know that death is only a sleep; it is only for a while, and everyone will rise again someday. This is what the word "Dormition" means: to go to sleep for a while. For this reason, we call the feast day on which we commemorate Mary's repose, "The Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos and Ever Virgin Mary."

The time came for Mary to repose also and, one day, while she was praying, the Archangel Gabriel appeared to Mary and told her that she would depart this life in three days.

Mary was overjoyed to hear that she would repose, for she longed to be with Christ in heaven. She called all the Christians in Jerusalem to come to her so she could bid them farewell. To the women that lived in her house as nuns, she gave pieces of her clothing as remembrances. Word was sent to the Apostle John, and Mary told him where she was to be buried. All her relatives and the faithful of the Holy Church began to gather. They wept in sorrow, but Mary comforted them telling them that it would be better for them to rejoice than to weep, for Christ's followers do not fear death.

The apostles hastened to Mary's bedside to bid her farewell and ask for her prayers.

Mary peacefully reposed, with joy and hope, at the ninth hour of the day.

She was carried with honor to her family's tomb near the Mount of Olives. By God's will, only the Apostle Thomas who had gone into the East to preach, did not arrive at Mary's bedside, but he came to Jerusalem as soon as he heard about her repose. God had caused this because He wanted to give the Holy Church a special revelation. Thomas begged the apostles to open Mary's tomb so that he could see her one last time. When they opened her grave, it was empty. Christ had taken Mary's body to heaven also, as a special testimony to all of us about the certainty of the resurrection of our bodies. Thus, we know that she is alive and already raised from the dead and she constantly prays for all Orthodox people, and helps us in time of trouble.

Because of this revelation from God, the apostles and the first Christians understood the special place of honor the Virgin Mary was given in the Church. They understood that they could call on her in prayer for help.

Centuries of experience and our Orthodox life in the Holy Spirit have confirmed in us the certainty of this revelation.

Mary is a revelation to us of the glory which is bestowed upon all those who will truly unite themselves to our Saviour Jesus Christ. As the special chosen vessel of God, she has grace beyond what we can acquire, and glory higher than any angel. Nevertheless, she teaches us of the richness of grace and the fullness of the Holy Spirit which all those who struggle to live a godly life in Christ may acquire.

Let us, brothers and sisters in Christ, enter together into the spiritual contemplations on the following pages so that, coming to understand the Most Holy Theotokos better, we may also behold the glory of the works of God more clearly. May our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, through the Holy and Life Bestowing Spirit, open the eyes of your hearts to perceive the richness of His mercy and the true nature of His Redemption.

Amen!