Let the union of God and man in the Son of the Virgin Mary
I
see here a joyful company of Christian men met together in ready response to
the call of Mary, the holy and ever-virgin Mother of God. The great grief that
weighed upon me is changed into joy by your presence, venerable Fathers. Now
the beautiful saying of David the psalmist, How good and pleasant it is for
brothers to live together in unity, has come true for us.
Therefore, holy and incomprehensible
Trinity, we salute you at whose summons we have come together to this church of
Mary, the Mother of God.
Mary, Mother of God, we salute you.
Precious vessel, worthy of the whole world’s reverence, you are an ever-shining
light, the crown of virginity, the symbol of orthodoxy, an indestructible
temple, the place that held him whom no place can contain, mother and virgin.
Because of you the holy gospels could say: Blessed is he who comes in the name
of the Lord.
We salute you, for in your holy womb was
confined he who is beyond all limitation. Because of you the holy Trinity is
glorified and adored; the cross is called precious and is venerated throughout
the world; the heavens exult; the angels and archangels make merry; demons are
put to flight; the devil, that tempter, is thrust down from heaven; the fallen
race of man is taken up on high; all creatures possessed by the madness of
idolatry have attained knowledge of the truth; believers receive holy baptism;
the oil of gladness is poured out; the Church is established throughout the
world; pagans are brought to repentance.
What more is there to say? Because of you
the light of the only-begotten Son of God has shone upon those who sat in
darkness and in the shadow of death; prophets pronounced the word of God; the
apostles preached salvation to the Gentiles; the dead are raised to life, and
kings rule by the power of the holy Trinity.
Who can put Mary’s high honour into words?
She is both mother and virgin. I am overwhelmed by the wonder of this miracle.
Of course no one could be prevented from living in the house he had built for
himself, yet who would invite mockery by asking his own servant to become his
mother?
Behold then the joy of the whole universe. Let the union of God and man in the Son of the Virgin Mary fill us with awe and adoration. Let us fear and worship the undivided Trinity as we sing the praise of the ever-virgin Mary, the holy temple of God, and of God himself, her Son and spotless Bridegroom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.