Mary in the Coptic Ethiopian Church (I)

Heirs to the theology of St. Athanasius and St. Cyril of Alexandria, the Copts have always believed in the divine maternity of Mary. The title and content of the "Theotokies", the Marian Office of the month of Kiahk, the homilies and collections of miracles bear witness to this.

When speaking of Mary Theotokos (i.e "Mother of God"), the Copts see her role as a universal Mother. She was Mother in the full sense of the word: Mother of Christ-Man, Mother of Christ-God, and Mother of the Mystical Christ - of the Church and of every member of the faithful.

Mary's perpetual virginity is the golden jewel of all their religious literature. The most frequently used attributes for Mary are: "sealed door", "burning bush", "fertile ground", etc. For the Copts, the privilege of virginity is also a glory for Mary: on earth she resembles the angels, and in heaven she deserves a glory superior to theirs.

Mary is "in the superlative": she is both great for her personal perfection and for the role she plays in following Jesus. Her holiness is a gift from the Blessed Trinity, but it is also earned by a life of sacrifice. Mary gave her ‘Yes’ willingly and generously throughout her life.

The Copts are deeply convinced of Mary's mediating mission, and specify that she is the intermediary between Christ and creatures worthy of divine grace. Individuals, institutions and the universal Church are placed under her protection. Mary acts on behalf of the hopeless, cures discouragement, acts against illness and watches over the dying.

Marian Encyclopedia