The Fathers of the Church on Mary as Queen

In a previous article, I outlined the clear biblical evidence for Mary being the Queen of Heaven and Earth. Examining three specific passages, it was demonstrated that Sacred Scripture reveals the Blessed Virgin to truly be a Queen of heavenly royalty. This brief article will now present the data from Sacred Tradition. The Fathers of the Church also recognized this truth concerning Mary being our Queen. Most of this information can be found in the brilliant encyclical of Pope Pius XII from 1954, Ad Caeli Reginam, which addressed the queenship of Mary.

The earliest Fathers of course centered their attention upon the dogmas concerning the Holy Trinity and the identity of Christ Our Lord as true Man and true God. As Christology developed, so too did Mariology. The Fathers were well aware of the intimate connection between Jesus and Mary. The Fathers in the first 3 centuries noted Mary as the New Eve, the All Pure and Spotless one, and by the 5th century, the Mother of God. Meanwhile, as continued reflection occurred on Jesus being the King of Kings, the Fathers began noting the supreme and noble dignity of Mary as Queen.

Some of the Fathers made the direct connection between Mary as the Mother of the King of Kings, and drawing upon the office of Queen Mother from the Old Testament, as was explained in the article dealing with the biblical data, they then began making the deduction that Mary had inherited this title and office in the New Covenant. Others also addressed her as "Lady," a title of dignity given to royalty, as even now is recognized culturally throughout the world with monarchies.

In the 4th century, decades prior to the Council of Ephesus declaring Mary as the Theotokos, Mother of God, St. Ephrem wrote the following: "Let Heaven sustain me in its embrace, because I am honored above it. For heaven was not Thy mother, but Thou hast made it Thy throne. How much more honorable and venerable than the throne of a king is her mother... Majestic and Heavenly Maid, Lady, Queen, protect and keep me under your wing lest Satan the sower of destruction glory over me, lest my wicked foe be victorious against me."

What is interesting about this explicit reference to Mary as Maid, Lady, and Queen is that this was an era where the Church was anathematizing heresies left and right, and was not shy to call out false teachers as heretics. And yet, St. Ephrem was raised to the dignity of being noticed liturgically as a canonized Saint by this same Church. In his era, heresies abounded by the day concerning the truths outlined in the Nicene Creed regarding the deity of Christ and also the proper understanding of the Trinity as three Persons yet One God. Meanwhile, St. Ephrem was composing prayers to Mary as his Queen.

Also in the 4th century, St. Gregory Nazianzen wrote of Mary as "the Mother of the King of the universe," and the "Virgin Mother who brought forth the King of the whole world," a clear reference and allusion to Mary fulfilling the office of Queen Mother from the Old Covenant Kingdom, wherein the mother of the King was called to sit at the right hand and rule alongside him in a role of mediation.

Still in the same century, St. Epiphanius writes to Pope Hormisdas saying he is praying for the unity of the Church "by the grace of the holy and consubstantial Trinity and by the prayers of Mary, Our Lady, the holy and glorious Virgin and Mother of God."

In the 5th century, around the era of the Council of Ephesus, St. Chrysologus wrote, "The Hebrew word 'Mary' means 'Domina.' The Angel therefore addresses her as 'Lady' to preclude all servile fear in the Lord's Mother, who was born and was called 'Lady' by the authority and command of her own Son."

Moving forward to the 6th century, we find St. Modesto addressing Mary as "the Queen of mortal man, the most holy Mother of God." St. Andrew of Crete writes, "He transports from her earthly dwelling, as Queen of the human race, His ever-Virgin Mother, from whose womb He, the living God, took on human form... the Queen of the entire human race faithful to the exact meaning of her name, who is exalted above all things save only God himself." St. Germanus of Constantinople declares, "Be enthroned, Lady, for it is fitting that you should sit in an exalted place since you are a Queen and glorious above all kings." He proceeds to call her the "Queen of all of those who dwell on earth."

Rounding out to the 7th century, St. John Damascene calls Mary "Queen, ruler, and lady," and "the Queen of every creature." St. Ildephonsus of Toledo likewise addressed her as such: "O my Lady, my Sovereign, You who rule over me, Mother of my Lord... Lady among handmaids, Queen among sisters."

We see now that Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition both affirm one another in regards to Mary being the Queen of Heaven, Earth, and the Church. This is of course then given the stamp of ecclesiastical approval by the Magisterium. Let us then hear from non-Catholics why we ought not deservedly honor her with such titles and designations. Hail, Holy Queen!