What did God bestow upon Adam when he was created?

The Holy Trinity said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness” (Gen. 1:26), that he may taste communion with Him.

God appointed humans as a kings and queens to rule over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over all the earth (Gen. 1:26).

God formed Adam from the dust of the ground (Gen. 2:7), that he might live humbly, yet cherish his human nature.

The Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden (Gen. 2:8), that he might feel that he lives in a royal palace.

God gave him an extremely easy commandment, that he might exchange love with God through his obedience to Him.

God created Eve to be his helpmate, comparable to him, that they might be companions in enjoying the presence of God (Gen. 2:22).

God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, that people might sanctify a day for worship (Gen. 2:3). Thus, all our days are sanctified.

The human being is God’s most beloved creature.

St. Ephrem the Syrian deems the lives of the saints in this world to resemble the life of Paradise. He says, “The assembly of saints bears resemblance to Paradise: in it each day is plucked the fruit of Him [i.e., Jesus Christ] who gives life to all.”⁴⁵⁴ He also says, “Among the saints none is naked, for they have put on glory, nor is any clad in those leaves or standing

453 For more details see Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty and Bishoy Boshra Fayez, Man’s Eminence , trans., George Ishack, ed., Morgan Staggers, Queen Mary and Prince Tadros Coptic Orthodox Church, Pope Shenouda Centre. (South Brunswick NJ, 2013).

454 Ephrem the Syrian, Hymns on Paradise , trans., Sebastian P. Brock, (St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press, 1990), 6.8: p. 111.

in shame, for they have found, through our Lord, the robe that belongs to Adam and Eve.”⁴⁵⁵ St. Ephrem affirms that Adam was in all things complete when he was in the Paradise of the Garden of Eden; and that none shall enter except those who have the same purity, and the body that is raised from death.⁴⁵⁶