Faith Q&A › Catechism › 11. Titles and Names of the Savior that Witness to the Works of His Love

Why is Jesus called “the Lion” (Rev. 5:5)?

The answer

St. Cyril of Jerusalem says, “Again, He is called a Lion … indicating as it were by the title His kingly, and steadfast, and confident nature: a Lion He is also called in opposition to the lion our adversary, who roars and devours those who have been deceived … [He is] the strong Lion of the tribe of Judah.”⁷⁸⁷

Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty

Notes

⁷⁸⁶ St. Ambrose of Milan, Exposition of the Christian Faith 4.9.108 (NPNF II/10:276).

⁷⁸⁷ St. Cyril of Jerusalem, Catechetical Lectures, 10 (NPNF II/7:57).

Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty, Catechism of the Coptic Orthodox Church, Volume 1, Books 1–3. First English Edition, 2023. Published by St. George Coptic Orthodox Church, Sporting, Alexandria, and Queen St. Mary & Prince Tadros Coptic Orthodox Church, South Brunswick, NJ. Copyright © 2023. Translation and Editing: Youth of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the USA, Canada, Europe, Australia, Arabian Gulf, and Egypt.