Fr. Gregory's Orthodox Catechism

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People of God - Nativity Cycle - Covenant

Mary, Ark of the Covenant

Mary, Ark of the Covenant

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Setting the Scene

There are many covenants or agreements between God and his People recorded in the Scriptures. The two most important ones are well known ... the Mosaic Covenant of the Law following the Exodus of the Hebrews out of slavery in Egypt and the New Covenant of Christ sealed in his Blood by which humankind has been liberated from the power of death and sin in the resurrection. The fulfilment of the prophecies of the old covenant are to be found in the new and it is for this reason that the signs and artefacts of the first are recast in the persons of Christ and His Mother in the new. This method of biblical interpretation is called "typology" and its use ensures that we never forget that the law has been both fulfilled and overtaken by grace through the Incarnation.

St. Peter uses Noah's ark as a type of Christian baptism (1 Peter 3:18-22).
St. Paul explains that circumcision foreshadowed Christian baptism (Colossians 2:11-12).
Our Lord uses the bronze serpent as a type of his Crucifixion (John 3:14; cf. Numbers 21:8-9).
The Passover lamb prefigures the sacrifice of Christ (1 Corinthians 5:7).
St. Paul says that Abraham, in his willingness to sacrifice Isaac, "considered that God was able to raise men even from the dead; hence, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back" (Hebrews 11:19).
The Eucharist becomes a new type of Passover Meal in which both priest and sacrifice become one in the crucified and risen Lord who is to come again to judge the living and the dead. (1 Corinthians 11:26)

Concerning the covenant itself, a very rich typology is now to be found in the person of the Virgin Mary who has become the Ark of the New Covenant for she conceived in her womb God himself made flesh, Christ himself being the fulfilment of the Law and Prophets.

St. Athanasius of Alexandria (c. 296-373) wrote of Mary:

"O noble Virgin, truly you are greater than any other greatness. For who is your equal in greatness, O dwelling place of God the Word? To whom among all creatures shall I compare you, O Virgin? You are greater than them all O [Ark of the] Covenant, clothed with purity instead of gold! You are the ark in which is found the golden vessel containing the true manna, that is, the flesh in which divinity resides"

(Homily of the Papyrus of Turin).

Some Christians when they hear the words "New Covenant" think that Christ writes a new law even if that law is love. In truth the New Covenant is a person and what that person, Christ, brings his people through his life, death and resurrection. The Mother of God is also important for Orthodox Christians as the living ark of the Incarnate Lord of glory who consented in her own flesh to his coming.

Practical

This extract is from the Akathist hymn to the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary:-

Rejoice, tabernacle of God the Word: Rejoice, saint greater than the saints!

Rejoice, ark gilded by the Spirit:

Rejoice, inexhaustible treasury of life!

Rejoice, precious diadem of pious kings:

Rejoice, venerable boast of reverent priests!

Rejoice, unshakable fortress of the Church:

Rejoice, inviolable wall of the kingdom!

Rejoice, Thou through whom victories are obtained:

Rejoice, Thou through whom foes fall prostrate!

Rejoice, healing of my flesh: