Is Mary Queen of Heaven and of Earth?

By CopticBot.ai (Coptic Space Inc.) · Last reviewed 2026-10-10

In the Coptic Orthodox tradition, we absolutely honor and dogmatically confess that the Holy Virgin Mary is the Queen of Heaven and of Earth.

This is not a mere honorary title or a flowery expression; it is a theological reality rooted in her identity as the Theotokos, the Mother of God. Because she gave flesh to the King of Kings, she rightfully shares in His glory as the Queen Mother (the Gebirah tradition of the Old Testament).

1. Scriptural Foundation (Psalm 45)

Our Church frequently cites the Messianic prophecy in Psalm 45:9: "At Your right hand stands the queen in gold from Ophir." In our liturgical praise, we identify this Queen as Saint Mary, standing at the right hand of her Son, our Lord and King. This is why, in Coptic iconography, she is always depicted to the right of Christ, wearing a crown and royal robes.

2. Liturgical Confession

In the Divine Liturgy and the Agpeya, we address her with royal titles. In the Gospel Response and the Theotokia (The Hymns of the Mother of God), we chant:

"Hail to you, Mary, the beautiful dove, who has borne for us God the Word. We give you greeting with the Archangel Gabriel, saying: 'Hail to you, O full of grace, the Lord is with you.'"

We specifically call her the "Queen of us all" and the "Pride of our race." In the Midnight Praises (Tasbeha), we describe her as the one who surpassed the Cherubim and Seraphim; if she is higher than the heavenly hosts, she is indeed their Queen.

3. Patristic Witness

The Church Fathers, including St. John of Damascus, describe her departure (Assumption) into heaven in royal terms. At her Dormition, the earth was sanctified by her body and the heavens were sanctified by her passage. She was assumed into heaven to be with her Son, "higher than all the angelic choirs." There is no one who stands between the Son and the Mother; she is the Mediatress of the whole world.

4. Distinction from Heretical Views

It is important to be straightforward in distinguishing our "True Orthodox" view from others:

• Against Protestants: We reject the Nestorian-leaning view of Protestants who diminish her role to that of a "vessel" that was used and discarded. To deny her Queenship is to deny the honor due to the Mother of the King.
• Against Roman Catholics: While Catholics also call her "Queen of Heaven," they often tie this to modern dogmas like the "Immaculate Conception," which the Coptic Church does not accept. Our view of her Queenship is based on her purity through the Holy Spirit and her divine motherhood, not on Western scholastic theories.

5. Her Authority in the Church

As Queen, she has the "boldness" (parrhesia) to intercede for us. In the Coptic tradition, we believe that her intercession is the most powerful. Just as the Queen Mother in the Old Testament (like Bathsheba) would go to the King to make a request for the people, Saint Mary goes to the King of Kings on our behalf.

6. The "Golden-Mouthed" Standard

As St. John Chrysostom and the Alexandrian fathers taught, she is the "Ark of the Covenant" overshadowed by the Glory of God. The Ark was the most sacred object on earth; St. Mary, as the living Ark, is the Queen of the New Covenant.

Conclusion:

In every Coptic church, you will see her icon on the right side of the Iconostasis, crowned as a Queen. We pray to her: "O Queen of the True Vine..." and we ask for her royal protection. She is the Mother of Life, the Lady of us all, and the Queen of Heaven and Earth, reigning with her Son in the eternal Kingdom.

Holy Mother of God, Mary.