What is the full story of St. Mary's life, beginning with her birth?

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

The story of the Holy Theotokos, St. Mary, is central to the Coptic Orthodox faith. Her life is documented through Holy Scripture and the Sacred Tradition of the Church, particularly in the Synaxarium and the writings of the Holy Fathers.

1. Her Birth and Parents

St. Mary was born to righteous parents, Joachim and Anna, who were from the tribe of Judah and the lineage of David. They were advanced in years and had been childless, which was considered a reproach among the Jews. After fervent prayer and a vow to dedicate their child to the service of God, an angel appeared to them to announce the birth of a daughter whose fame would reach the ends of the world.

She was born on the 1st of Pashons (May 9). In the Coptic tradition, we emphasize that while she was chosen and sanctified, she was born with the human nature that required redemption, distinguishing our faith from the Roman Catholic dogma of the Immaculate Conception.

2. Service in the Temple

In fulfillment of their vow, Joachim and Anna brought Mary to the Temple in Jerusalem when she was three years old. She lived there in the "Holy of Holies," where she was fed by the hands of angels and spent her time in prayer, study of the Scriptures, and handiwork. She remained in the Temple for twelve years, growing in purity and grace.

3. Betrothal to St. Joseph

When Mary reached the age of fifteen, the priests sought a guardian for her, as she had vowed to remain a virgin and could no longer stay in the Temple according to the Law. The priests gathered the staves of the men of the house of David, and the staff of the elderly widower Joseph miraculously budded (and a dove landed upon it), signaling that he was chosen by God to be her protector.

4. The Annunciation

While Mary was in Nazareth, the Archangel Gabriel appeared to her. This is recorded in the Gospel of Luke 1:26-38. The angel greeted her, saying, "Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you." Mary, in her profound humility, accepted the divine call, saying: "Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word" (Luke 1:38).

At that moment, the Holy Spirit came upon her, and the Power of the Highest overshadowed her. As taught by St. Cyril of Alexandria, the Word of God took flesh from her, and she became the true Theotokos (Mother of God).

5. The Nativity and the Flight to Egypt

Mary gave birth to our Lord Jesus Christ in a manger in Bethlehem. Following the threat of King Herod, the Holy Family fled to Egypt. This is a point of great pride for the Coptic Church, as her footsteps sanctified the land of Egypt for three and a half years.

6. Her Role in the Ministry of Christ

St. Mary was present throughout the Lord's life, from the first miracle at Cana of Galilee to the foot of the Cross. Despite the intense sorrow of seeing her Son crucified, she remained the pillar of the early Church. After the Ascension, she lived in the house of St. John the Beloved, as the Lord had commanded from the Cross.

7. Her Departure (Dormition) and Assumption

The Virgin Mary departed this life on the 21st of Tobi (January 29) at the age of 60. The Apostles were gathered miraculously to witness her departure, except for St. Thomas.

When St. Thomas was returning to Jerusalem, he saw the angels carrying the pure body of St. Mary toward heaven. When he reached the other Apostles, they told him of her death. He asked to see the body, and when they opened the tomb, it was empty. Thomas then told them what he had seen. The Apostles fasted for two weeks (the Fast of the Virgin), and at the end, God granted them the opportunity to see the manifestation of her body at the right hand of her Son. The Coptic Church celebrates her Assumption on the 16th of Mesra (August 22).

Theological Importance

In our Coptic Liturgy, we honor her above the Cherubim and Seraphim. She is the "Second Heaven" and the "Golden Censer." We reject the Nestorian heresy that would call her only Christotokos (Mother of Christ), insisting she is the Mother of God because He who was born of her is true God of true God.