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
We are all coming to a close of the 3rd day of the 15 Day Lent and preparing towards the Feast of the Assumption of the Mother of God. In the last couple of blogs, we tried to understand more about the Feast of the Assumption and also learnt about why Mother Mary is referred to as the God-bearer or ‘Theotokos’.
Let us now look at an another term that’s used to refer our beloved Mother.
In the realm of Orthodox Christianity, few figures hold as much significance and veneration as Mother Mary. Regarded as the epitome of piety, humility, and obedience, Mary’s role extends beyond being the mother of Jesus Christ. Orthodox theology also recognizes her as the “Second Eve,” a title that carries profound theological implications.
In this blog post, we will delve into the Orthodox teaching on Mother Mary as the second Eve and understand why she is considered a pivotal figure in salvation history.
The Fall of Humanity and the Need for a Second Eve
To grasp the concept of Mary as the Second Eve, we must first revisit the story of the first Eve in the Book of Genesis. Orthodox Christians believe that the first humans, Adam and Eve, were created in a state of harmony and communion with God in the Garden of Eden.
In the Garden of Eden, Eve, the first woman, succumbed to temptation and partook of the forbidden fruit, leading to the fall of humanity from grace and introduction of sin into the world. This disobedience marred the perfect harmony and communion between God and humanity, creating a chasm that separated mankind from its Creator.
Orthodox theology sees this rupture as the root cause of human suffering, sin, and death. To restore this broken relationship, God had a plan—a plan that involved the arrival of a Second Eve.
The Promise of Redemption
Even in this dark moment, hope was not lost. In Genesis 3:15, God issued a promise, stating that from the woman’s descendant, a Redeemer would come to crush the serpent’s head. This promise paved the way for the arrival of the much-awaited Messiah and the redemption of mankind.
Mary’s Role in the Salvation History
Fast-forward to the coming of Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the world. Just as Eve held a significant role in the fall of humanity, Mary’s role was equally crucial in the redemption of mankind. She occupies a unique position as the Theotokos or God-Bearer, as her womb carried the Son of God, Jesus Christ.
Orthodox teaching holds that the momentous event of the Incarnation of God becoming human in the person of Jesus Christ, required a response from a faithful and obedient human being. This response came from Mary, who, according to Orthodox tradition, willingly accepted the angel Gabriel’s message, saying,
“Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.”
Gospel of St. Luke 1:38
While the First Eve’s disobedience brought sin and death into the world, the Second Eve’s obedience and willingness to bear the Savior paved the way for salvation. In her response to the angel Gabriel, Mary demonstrated her complete submission to God’s plan, reversing the disobedience of the first woman.
Mary’s Fiat and Salvation:
In parallel to the first Eve’s disobedience, Mary’s unique response of obedience—known as her Fiat—reversed the narrative and set in motion the plan of salvation. By accepting the role of the mother of God, Mary became the means through which God entered into humanity, providing the opportunity for redemption and a restoration of the broken relationship between humankind and God.
The early Church Fathers, also known as the patristic teachers, recognized Mary’s pivotal role as the second Eve. With her obedience and faith, Mary stood in direct contrast to the disobedience of the first Eve. Just as Eve’s actions had led to mankind’s separation from God, Mary’s willingness to align herself with God’s will became the turning point for humanity’s restoration.
The Annunciation and the Incarnation:
The pivotal moment of Mary’s role as the Second Eve is the Annunciation. When the angel announced to Mary that she would conceive by the Holy Spirit and give birth to the Son of God, she became the vessel through which the Incarnation took place.
In the Incarnation, the eternal Son of God took on human flesh, uniting the divine and human natures in His person. Through Mary’s fiat, the divine Word became flesh and dwelt among us, initiating the process of reconciliation between God and humanity.
Mother Mary’s Purity and Holiness:
In Orthodox belief, Mary’s special status as the second Eve extends to her purity and holiness. Unlike the first Eve, who succumbed to temptation and sinned, Mary resolutely upheld her end of the created order. In this way, she is seen as the new Eve who fully responded to God’s will and played an instrumental role in restoring humanity’s relationship with God through Christ.
The Theotokos: Birth-Giver of God
An essential aspect of Mary’s role as the second Eve lies in the miraculous event of the Virgin Birth. Unlike any other birth in history, Mary conceived Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit without any human intervention. This conception ensured that Jesus inherited His divine nature from His heavenly Father, bypassing the transmission of the fallen nature inherited from Adam.
The Orthodox Church addresses Mary as Theotokos, which translates to “God-bearer” or “Mother of God.” This title emphasizes the Incarnation’s significance and underscores the belief that Jesus Christ is both fully divine and fully human. By bearing the Son of God, Mary carried God Himself within her womb, making her a pivotal figure in the salvation of humanity.
The Role of Mary’s Obedience:
Mary’s obedience extends beyond her acceptance of the angel’s message. Throughout Jesus’ life, she displayed unwavering faith and devotion, standing by Him even during His crucifixion. In Orthodox tradition, Mary is regarded as the first and most faithful disciple of Christ.
Her role as the Second Eve is not merely confined to giving birth to Jesus but also involves her active participation in God’s divine plan. Her faithfulness and obedience exemplify the way in which humanity should respond to God’s call, mirroring the obedience and devotion of the First Eve before the fall.
The Connection Between the Cross and the Incarnation:
Orthodox theology views the Incarnation and the Crucifixion as interconnected events. The Incarnation laid the groundwork for the Crucifixion and Resurrection, as Jesus, being fully human, experienced the consequences of sin and death on the Cross, conquering them through His divine nature.
Mary’s pivotal role as the Second Eve also comes into focus at the foot of the Cross. As she witnessed her Son’s sacrifice for the salvation of humanity, she shared in His redemptive suffering and offered her own heart in union with His sacrifice.
The Assumption and Mary’s Exemplary Role:
Another significant aspect of Mary’s veneration in Orthodox Christianity is her Assumption. The Orthodox Church teaches that Mary, at the end of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heaven. This event is seen as a confirmation of her unique role as the Second Eve and her intimate union with her divine Son.
Mary’s Assumption also serves as an example of the destiny that awaits all believers in Christ. In her, Orthodox Christians see the promise of resurrection and eternal life, making her an intercessor and advocate for all believers.
Mary as the Intercessor:
Orthodox Christians hold a strong belief in the Communion of Saints, which includes the idea that the saints, including Mary, are alive in Christ and continue to play active roles in the spiritual lives of believers. Mary, as the second Eve, is regarded as an intercessor who fervently prays for the salvation and well-being of humanity before her Son.
A New Covenant and the New Adam:
The Orthodox Church sees Jesus Christ as the New Adam, who came to save humanity and restore the broken relationship between God and mankind. In this context, Mary’s role as the second Eve is even more poignant. Just as the first Adam was created by God without an earthly parent, so was Jesus. Mary, as the second Eve, played a crucial role in ushering in this redemption and a new covenant.
Conclusion:
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus, the Orthodox teaching on Mother Mary as the second Eve emphasizes her pivotal role in the salvation story and underlines her faithfulness and obedience to God. Through her obedient acceptance of God’s plan, Mary became the instrument through which salvation entered the world.
As the prototype of redeemed humanity, her response reversed the consequences of the Fall and set the stage for Christ’s redemptive work. Consequently, Orthodox Christians honor Mary as the Faithful Virgin and Theotokos, acknowledging her unique position and recognizing her as a powerful intercessor. As the Second Eve, she stands as a testament to God’s redemptive plan for humanity, offering hope, intercession, and a profound example of faithfulness to Christians worldwide.
As we grasp this teaching, may we continue to celebrate and honour the blessed Virgin Mary for her exceptional role in the history of our salvation. Let us intercede to the blessed Mother to intercede to her Son, our Lord Jesus Christ on our behalf so that we may also become bearer of Christ within us through obedience and humility and thus become one with God.
Your brother in Christ Jesus
Jobin George
\\o// Following curiously……. [T/Q]