How do we see the Church in Noah’s Ark?

The answer

The Church is the ark of the New Testament, which not only surrounds and protects humans from the flood, but also makes them into angelic creatures. St. John Chrysostom says, “The story of the flood is a mystery (Gen. 8), whose details were an example of the things to take place. The ark is the Church, Noah is Christ, the dove is the Holy Spirit, and the olive branch is the divine goodness. Just as the ark in the midst of the sea was a fortress for those within it, so the Church saves the lost. The ark offers protection, but the Church does something greater. For example, the ark contained and preserved irrational animals, while the Church brought in people who behave irrationally and not only protected them but also changed their nature.”⁹⁵⁰

Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty