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Mary in the Coptic Church: Theotokos, Mother of Light

Egypt

The Coptic Church, one of the oldest in Christianity, professed from the Council of Ephesus (431) a profound devotion to Mary as Theotokos. Egypt is by far the Arab country with the greatest Christian presence and the one that most Marian shrines treasure in the Islamic world.

Origin: Saint Mark and the Church of Alexandria

The Coptic tradition attributes the foundation of the Church of Alexandria to Saint Mark the EvangelistThe Coptic Church is considered a direct heir to this apostolic foundation. From its origins, the Christian community of Egypt had a special devotion to the Virgin Mary, linked to the memory of the flight to Egypt.

The Council of Ephesus (431) and the Theotokos

El patriarca Cyril of Alexandria (376-444) was the decisive figure in the proclamation of Mary as Theotokos (Mother of God) at the Council of Ephesus. The controversy with Nestorio, which preferred the title Christotokos (Mother of Christ), resolved in favor of Cyril's position. For the Copts, Ephesus confirmed what they already believed: Mary is not only the human mother of Jesus, but the Mother of God incarnate.

Main Coptic Marian Advocations

Sitt Miriam (Mrs. Mary)

In Coptic popular speech, Mary is by MiriamThe Lady. It is the most widespread advocation in churches, monasteries and Coptic homes.

Sayyidat al-Nour (Lady of Light)

Title associated with the apparitions of Zeitoun and Assiut. The light surrounding the Marian figure reinforced this advocation, which connects with the coptic symbolism of light as a divine presence.

Theotokos

The theological title par excellence, preserved in the Coptic liturgy in its original Greek form. Coptic icons often show Mary with the Child Jesus in the Byzantine style adapted to the remote tradition.

Coptic Marian Iconography

Coptic art has a rich Marian iconographic tradition:

• Icons of the Theotokos: follow the Byzantine model but with Coptic features (large eyes, serene expression).
• Wall paintings: the monasteries of the western desert keep fresh Marian from the VIIIth centuries.
• Tablillas votivas: small wooden boards painted with the image of Mary, used in domestic devotion.
• Coptic crosses: often adorned with Marian motives.

Coptic Marian Liturgy

The Coptic liturgy includes numerous references to Mary:

• El Theotokia: anthem dedicated to the Virgin who is sung in every daily trade.
• El Kiak: a copy month dedicated especially to Mary (January).
• Las Parachutes: Marian pleas sung in times of need.
• The parties of the Announcement (29 Koiak/7 abril), la Assumption (16 Mesra / 22 August) and Nativity of Mary (1 Bashans / 9 May).

Copt Marian Monasterys

Egypt houses more than 200 Coptic Monasteries, many dedicated to the Virgin Mary:

• Monastery of the Virgin of Dair al- Muharraq (Asiut): the most important, associated with the flight to Egypt.
• Monastery of the Virgin of Dronka (Asiut): great sanctuary of pilgrimage.
• Monastery of St. Simon (Cairo): with great Marian church excavated on the rock.
• Monastery of Santa Maria (Wadi El Natrun): one of the oldest in the world.

Mary in Coptic Popular Devotion

Coptic Marian devotion is expressed in very living ways:

• Domestic icons: Almost every Coptic home has an icon of the Virgin Mary.
• Anos marianos: Copts keep fasting before Marian parties.
• Pilgrimages: Marian shrines are the most visited in the country.
• Corners: Hundreds of Coptic hymns are dedicated to Mary.

Ecumenical dialogue

Marian devotion is one of the strongest bridges between the Orthodox Coptic Church and the Coptic Catholic Church. The encounter between the Pope Francisco and the Coptic Patriarch Tawadros II (2013 and 2017) emphasized communion in the Marian faith as the basis of Christian unity.

Coptic prayer to the Theotokos

Oh, Holy Mother of God, Theotokos, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. You who gave birth to the Savior of the world, pray for us, sinners, now and at the hour of our death. May your intercession protect us as you protected the Child Jesus in the land of Egypt. Amen.