Silence is Prerequisite

In solitude, if the soul is watchful,
God allows himself to be seen.
In a crowd there is commotion.
Silence is a prerequisite in order to see God.

Do not go outside yourself, but turn back within;
truth dwells in the inner person;
and if you find your nature given to frequent change, go beyond yourself.
Move on, then, to that source where the light of reason receives its light.

St. Augustine

St. Mary The Image of Beauty

How could I paint the picture of this marvelous, 
beautiful one, with ordinary colour..... 

too exalted and too glorious is the image of her beauty.....

 She was wise and filled with the love of God ....
 
She was never defiled by bad desires, 

had remained from childhood steadfastly just 

and has always walked along the right way 
without fault or stumbling...

St. Jacob of Sarug 

Church Body

Mary is a part of the Church, a holy member, an excellent member, the most eminent member, whilst still a member of the whole body.

St. Augustine

No Ordinary Mother

We don't look upon St. Mary as just a great saint, but as a mother, 

and not just an ordinary mother 

but capable mother full of mercy and support.

H. H. Pope Shenouda III

The Church's View of St. Mary

In the Church's view, St. Mary is above the Angels and the Archangels. We acknowledge her in our prayers and our hymns before mentioning the three great lights, Michael, Gabriel and Rafael the Archangels. 

H. H. Pope Shenouda III 

Virgin Mary The Cause of Salvation

Just as Eve, while wife of Adam, was still a virgin and became by her disobedience the cause of death of herself and of the whole human race; so Mary too, espoused yet a virgin, became by her obedience the cause of salvation of both herself and the whole human race.

St. Irenaeus