Abba Hiriakos on the Virgin

Continued 👇🏾 ✍🏾The Teaching of the Venerable Abba Hiriakos Concerning the life of Our Lady Mary in the Temple, the venerable Abba Hiriakos teaches in the book of Metshafe Qiddase Maryam (verses 39–43) as follows: 👉🏾O Virgin, you did not grow up in idleness like the daughters of the Hebrews who bowed their heads to the world,but you lived in the Temple in purity and holiness. 👉🏾O Virgin, you did not eat earthly bread,but heavenly bread prepared from the heavens. 👉🏾O Virgin, you did not drink earthly drink,but heavenly drink drawn from above. 👉🏾O Virgin, you did not live according to the manner of women before you or after you,but you were adorned with purity and holiness alone. 👉🏾O Virgin, you were not deceived by deceitful young men,but the angels of heaven visited you,and priests and high priests praised you,as it has been spoken. The Teachings of Saint Athanasius on the Life of Our Lady in the Temple Saint Athanasius (296–373 AD), in his “Letter to Virgins,” presents the life of the Holy Virgin Mary in the Temple as a model and example for all virgins. He teaches: Mary, being a pure virgin, was of excellent character and loved good works.She did not seek to be seen by men, but instead asked God to examine her heart.She remained in the house without interruption, living like a monk, disciplined and devoted. ✍🏾She was like a bee that gives honey: industrious and fruitful in her works.The money she earned from her labors with her hands, she distributed to the poor. 👉🏾She prayed to God in solitude, asking for two things: 1. That no evil thought should enter her heart. That her heart should never be filled with sinful desire. 2.She walked diligently in the way of the Lord; her speech was calm, her voice gentle. She sought to make spiritual progress every day, doing more each morning than she had done the day before. She was not afraid of death; rather, she rose daily in prayer, mindful that she had not missed the entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven. Part 2 Continues ... May the name of the Holy God be praised forever and ever in every tongue that He has created, today and always. May the blessings of God's mother, the virgin, and the cross be upon us. Amen. © John's Repentance Reach out to us on our social media platforms and share it with your friends:https://linktr.ee/johnsrepentance