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Purification

Faith Q&A › Metropolitan Youssef › The Sacraments › Purification

The question

Why is the purification period eighty days after the birth of a girl while it is only fourty days after the birth of a boy?

The answer

This doubling of the period of purification at the birth of a female is intended to remind  people of the fact that the woman Eve,was the first to fall into temptation. "For Adam was formed first, then Eve and Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression. Nevertheless she will be saved in childbearing if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control" (1 Tim 2:13-15).

Answered by His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef (opens in a new tab)

Related questions

Questions answered by His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef (opens in a new tab) of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. Question 462 on the Diocese’s Q&A site. Questions and answers © Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. All rights reserved.