Grade 12 - Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States

Sunday School Curriculum Grade 12
Week 3 - The Virgin Mary in the Coptic Church
Objective:
Giving honor and praise to the holy Virgin according to the commandments of divine
inspiration.
Memory verse:
―Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word‖ (Luke 1:38).
Introduction:
The fathers consider Virgin Mary as the mother of us all. We also like to think of the resemblance
between the Virgin Mary and the Church. This enables us to examine our relationship with our
mother, the Virgin; as well as estimate our membership in the holy, universal and Apostolic Church
of the One God.
Lesson Outline:
I. The Virgin Receives The Good News
The holy Virgin was a representative of mankind when she received the good news. All mankind
responded through her holy mouth as she received and expressed her acceptance of the Holy
Incarnation. On that day, she said: ―Behold the maidservant of the Lord!‖ This was to be fulfilled in
the fullness of time. It was an announcement of mankind‘s spiritual preparedness to receive God
among them.
The Church resembles the Virgin in that both are the holy receptacle that carries the Word
announcing salvation and God‘s message to mankind. Insofar as the Church obeys the
commandments, accepts them, as testified in the lives of her children and as she reveals her features
and characteristics that indicate that she is the consecrated bride. Just as the mouth of the holy Virgin
was filled with praise, so the children of the Church sing songs of praise and prayer.
II. Meditation on Virginity
St. Augustine says about the Mother of God ―She is a virgin while she is pregnant, a virgin though
a mother, and a virgin at her death.‖
In the Saturday Theotokia, we say, ―She was called the mother of God, the real King; and having
given birth to Him, she remained a virgin by an astonishing decree.‖
The Church is also like a virgin honored by God and His commandments. She is as a spotless
bride.
The Church is also like a virgin for she turns all the feelings of Her children towards Her
Redeemer.
III. Names of the Virgin
The Coptic Church refers to St. Mary by many names such as:
1. The True Queen
2. The Ever Virgin
3. The Second Heaven
188 AUGUST