The Ever Virginity of Mary, the Mother of God: EOTC Perspective Part I

The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church (EOTC) holds a profound belief in the ever-virginity of Mary, the Mother of God, rooted in scriptural interpretations and the teachings of the Church Fathers. This belief affirms that Mary remained a virgin before, during, and after the birth of Jesus Christ.

Mary’s profound intention was to consecrate her body to God and to live a life of perpetual virginity. This commitment is evident in her response to the angel Gabriel. When he announced, “…እነሆ ትጸንሻለሽ ወንድ ልጅም ትወልጃለሽ ስሙንም ኢየሱስ ትይዋለሽ…” her immediate reaction was, “ወንድ ስለማላውቅ ይህ እንዴት ይሆናል?” (Luke 1:27-36). It is important to note that she made this statement after being betrothed to Joseph (ለዮሴፍ ከታጨች በኃላ) and while living in Nazareth, Galilee (Luke 1:26-27). This response signifies her commitment to living as a virgin. Had she intended to marry and have children, she might have asked, "From whom?" Instead, her question reveals her intention to remain a virgin, even in the future.

When the angel Gabriel explained that she would conceive by the Holy Spirit, without a male seed, and her desire to remain a virgin is fulfilled, she accepted him, saying, "እንደ ቃልህ ይሁንልኝ" (Luke 1:35, 38). Subsequently, she conceived and gave birth to Jesus Christ, preserving her virginity.

Mary uniquely possesses virginity alongside motherhood and motherhood alongside virginity forever. Just as Christ is both fully human and fully divine without limitation, boundary, or end—Mary's virginity and motherhood are also without limitation, boundary, or end—eternal. She alone bears the honor of being both a virgin and the Mother of God the Son forever (Isaiah 7:14 and Ezekiel 44:1-2). While other women may remain pure in body, Mary remains a virgin both in thought and body. It is for that reason that the angel Gabriel proclaimed to her: "ጸጋ የሞላብሽ ሆይ: አንቺ ከሴቶች መካከል የተባረክሽ ነሽ: ደስ ይበልሽ" (Luke 1:28).

In Ezekiel 44:1-2, it is written: "ወደ ምሥራቅም ወደሚመለከተው በስተውጭ ወዳለው ወደመቅደሱ በር አመጣኝ ተዘግቶም ነበር። እግዚአብሔርም፦ይህ በር ተዘግቶ ይኖራል እንጂ አይከፈትም፥ ሰውም አይገባበትም የእስራኤል አምላክ እግዚአብሔር ገብቶበታልና ተዘግቶ ይኖራል።." This passage is a clear testament to the perpetual virginity of the Holy Virgin. It indicates that Mary’s womb was prophetically sealed, reserved exclusively for the Incarnate Word (ስጋ የሆነ ቃል), and not to bear any other person. Her nature does not permit her to bear anyone else except God the Son— “የእስራኤል አምላክ እግዚአብሔር ገብቶበታልና ተዘግቶ ይኖራል::” Mary is symbolized by the East because, just as the sun rises in the East, she gave birth to the true Sun of Life—Jesus Christ.

In conclusion, the EOTC emphasizes that Mary’s virginity is a timeless aspect of her identity as the Mother of God. Her unique role in salvation history is celebrated, highlighting the eternal coexistence of virginity and motherhood within her. This enduring belief reflects the profound reverence the Church holds for Mary in its faith and teachings.