In the name of God the Father, Christ Jesus His Son and the Holy Spirit, One True God. Amen.
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus
We have almost come to the halfway mark of the 15 day Fast commemorating the Assumption of Mother Mary. Through the last week, we tried to understand few concepts with regards to how the Orthodox Church views Mother Mary.
Today I aim to explore and share with you the Orthodox Christian patristic teaching on Mother Mary and her connection to the burning bush encountered by Moses. Drawing from patristic sources, historical context, and scriptural analysis, through this blog I will be examining the profound spiritual significance of the burning bush and its parallel to the Virgin Mary in Orthodox theology. By elucidating the unique theological insights offered by the Church Fathers, this blog seeks to deepen our understanding of the veneration accorded to Mother Mary within Orthodoxy.
Unravelling the Biblical Account of the Burning Bush:
To fully comprehend the significance of the connection between Mother Mary and the Burning Bush, it is essential to delve into the biblical account of the latter. The Book of Exodus narrates the story of Moses, who, while tending to his flock in the desert, encounters a bush that burns with fire yet is not consumed. The voice of God emanates from within the bush, revealing sacred knowledge and divine purpose to Moses. This awe-inspiring event marks the beginning of Moses’ prophetic journey and the liberation of the Israelites from Egyptian slavery.
The Burning Bush represents an extraordinary theophany, a direct manifestation of the divine presence, and a call to embrace a sacred mission. Moses’ encounter with the Burning Bush signifies a transformational experience, guiding him to become a spiritual leader and a messenger of God’s will. As seekers of theosis (the process of divinization or union with God), we must look for parallels and deeper meanings within other spiritual traditions to understand the universality of such mystical encounters.
Mother Mary: An Icon of Divine Intervention
In Orthodox Christianity, the veneration of Mother Mary, the Theotokos, holds a central place within the faith tradition. Her role as the God-bearer and her significance in the salvation of humanity are deeply rooted in the patristic teachings of the Church. She is also known for her unwavering faith and divine grace. The Annunciation, the moment when the Angel Gabriel announces to Mary that she will conceive Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit, is a significant event in Christian tradition.
Mary’s humble acceptance of this divine calling reflects her alignment with God’s will and her pivotal role in the redemption of humanity. Like the Burning Bush, Mother Mary serves as a vessel for divine intervention and revelation. Her life becomes a sacred conduit for the divine to enter the earthly realm, just as the Burning Bush served as the medium through which God communicated with Moses. The parallel between Mary’s divine conception and the non-consuming fire of the Burning Bush signifies the purity and holiness that characterize both encounters.
The Shared Symbolism and Spiritual Significance
Upon closer examination, striking parallels emerge between the extraordinary encounter of Moses with the burning bush and Mother Mary, transcending their respective religious contexts. Let us explore the theological implications and symbolism that the Church Fathers have identified.
- Divine Presence:
Both the Burning Bush and Mother Mary symbolize the presence of the divine. In the case of the Burning Bush, God’s voice emanates from within the bush. Similarly, the divine presence is manifested through Mother Mary, who carries within her womb the Son of God, Jesus Christ. - Non-Consuming Fire:
The burning but unconsumed bush signifies the divine energy that sustains without consuming. Likewise, Mary’s virginity before and after the birth of Jesus symbolizes a unique connection with the divine that remains pure and intact. - Sacred Messages:
In both narratives, profound messages are conveyed. The Burning Bush reveals God’s divine plan for Moses and the liberation of the Israelites. Mary’s encounter with the Angel Gabriel brings the message of the Incarnation, heralding the coming of the Saviour. - Divine Calling:
Moses’ encounter with the Burning Bush marks the beginning of his spiritual journey as a prophet. Similarly, Mary’s acceptance of the divine plan sets her on a path of motherhood and servitude to humanity. - Uniting Divine Transcendence and Human Immanence:
The burning bush symbolizes the union of divine transcendence and human immanence, deifying nature without abolishing its essence. In a similar manner, Mother Mary’s role in the incarnation displays the unity of divinity and humanity, as she bears the uncontainable God while remaining truly human. This unique connection re-establishes the bond between humanity and divinity that was severed by the Fall. - Mother Mary: The Dwelling Place of God:
Through the eyes of the Church Fathers, the burning bush is indicative of the sanctification of a particular place so that it could serve as a dwelling place for God. Similarly, Mother Mary, through her nurturing and bearing of Jesus, becomes the living embodiment of the divine dwelling among humankind. This unique role granted to her by God reaffirms the Orthodox belief in her intercessory power and the reverence accorded to her.
Patristic Writings of the Orthodox Church
The Oriental Orthodox churches have a long and rich tradition of interpreting the burning bush. One of the most important early figures in this tradition was St. Ephrem the Syrian, who lived in the 4th century AD. St. Ephrem saw the burning bush as a symbol of Mary’s purity and holiness. He wrote:
The bush was burning, but it was not consumed, because it was a type of the holy Virgin Mary, who was filled with the fire of the Holy Spirit, but remained a virgin.”
Another important early figure in the interpretation of the burning bush was St. John of Damascus, who lived in the 8th century AD. St. John saw the burning bush as a symbol of the incarnation of Christ. He wrote:
The burning bush was a type of the Virgin Mary, who was burning with the fire of the Holy Spirit, but remained a virgin. Just as the bush was not consumed by fire, so Mary was not consumed by the incarnation of Christ.”
The interpretation of the burning bush in Oriental Orthodox Christianity has continued to develop over the centuries. In recent years, there has been a growing emphasis on the eschatological significance of the burning bush. Some scholars have argued that the burning bush is a symbol of the new heaven and the new earth, which will be free from sin and death.
The Burning Bush and the Virgin Mary in Modern Life
The burning bush is a powerful symbol that can speak to us in many different ways. It can remind us of Mary’s purity and holiness, the divine presence in the world, and the hope of the eschaton. In modern life, we can often feel overwhelmed by the challenges of the world. The burning bush can give us hope and strength, reminding us that God is with us, even in the midst of the most difficult circumstances.
The burning bush is also a reminder of the importance of prayer. When Moses encountered God in the burning bush, he was praying. Prayer is a way of opening ourselves up to the divine presence. When we pray, we can encounter God in our own lives, just as Moses did.
The burning bush is a rich and complex symbol that can speak to us in many different ways. It is a reminder of Mary’s role in salvation history, the divine presence in the world, and the hope of the eschaton. In modern life, the burning bush can give us hope and strength, reminding us that God is with us, even in the midst of the most difficult circumstances.
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, by exploring the parallels between the burning bush encountered by Moses and the blessed Theotokos, Mother Mary, we gain a deeper understanding of the theological teachings of the Orthodox Church. The aim of this blog was to show how the Church Fathers perceived the mystical connection between these two figures, highlighting the importance of Mother Mary in bridging the gap between the uncreated God and humanity. The profound teachings on Mother Mary reveal the essential role she plays in the salvation of humanity, cementing her place as a central figure of veneration within Orthodox Christianity.
The teachings also guide us, who are called followers of Christ, and whom St. Paul calls bearers of Christ, to don Christ within us and attain a change in our own nature as we journey to becoming one with God.
May the prayers of our blessed Theotokos be a stronghold to us all.
Your brother in Christ Jesus
Jobin George
\\o// Following the blog eagerly – [Thank you, Jobin, God bless you]