Most Holy Theotokos, Save Us

 
In anticipation of the month of The Holy Rosary, and also the anniversary of the Fatima miracle, I have been reading a book called "Jacinta, The Flower of Fatima" by The Very Reverand Galamba de Oliveira, who was the official "go between" for the first Bishop of Fatima and Lucia (the eldest of the three visionaries). It's simply written, designed to share the sweet simplicity and extreme love for Our Lady that Jacinta developed as a result of the graces poured out on her. The little biography shows how this ordinary and not overly pious young child changed because, like a flower (like the Heliotropium) she followed the light and responded to God's calling her to holiness.

It also brings many sobering thoughts, since we have the advantage of seeing everything after the fact; how Mary's requests went unheeded, how the second war came, how the Church is suffering today. I firmly believe that the miracle of the sun was a forewarning of the way the earth will be punished, perhaps will end. Many prophecies speak of great globes of fire (some think them to be comets or asteroids) that will fall to the earth and destroy vast numbers of mankind, and that the ones who are left will wish that they had perished. Jesus spoke of "stars falling from the sky".

And the one person who has been holding back the just wrath of the Father, is Our Lady, the Theotokos. With the "new" Catholic church and protestantization of many of Her teachings, has come a very disturbing lack of love for Our Lady as our Mother, something that Satan has greatly worked for since he knows that The Woman keeps so many souls from him. I personally know many Catholics who do not venerate Our Lady simply because they want to appeal to protestants; they are uncomfortable with speaking of our devotion to her, sharing and saying the rosary with people, displaying pictures or statues of her. This is extremely dangerous. The devotion to the scapular has waned much as well. In fact, a family I know that calls themselves Traditional Catholics (in actuality, they merely make it to mass every single Sunday, go to confession once a month, and say prayers before they eat. . .that makes them "tradtional" catholics) didn't even know what a scapular was when they saw me wearing mine. "What a funny necklace" the younger daughter told me, before I corrected her. Sigh.

As a labor of love for Our Lady, I would like to share with all of my readers one of my personally favorite Marian devotions, which has been given to us from the Eastern Church. The Akathist Hymn to Our Lady has been considered by many to be a rosary-like prayer (it definitely takes about as long as 5 decades do to pray!), and since many of my blogger friends will be elaborating on the rosary itself, I thought I would present this to you. Written in 532 A.D., this prayer has always been prayed standing, and is chanted. If I can figure out how to do it, I will try to put a clip of the music in here. It is one of the most beautiful hymns to Our Lady I have ever heard. Here are the words, in English :-D


Pre-amble: As soon as the Angel had received his command, he hastened to Joseph’s house and said to the ever-Virgin: "Behold, heaven was brought down to earth when the Word Himself was fully contained in you! Now that I see Him in your womb, taking a servant’s form, I cry out to you in wonder: Hail, 0 Bride and Maiden ever-pure!"

First Chant

An Archangel was sent from heaven to greet the Mother of God, and as he saw You assuming a body at the sound of his bodiless voice, 0 Lord, he stood rapt in amazement and cned to her in these words: Hail, 0 you through whom joy will shine forth; hail, 0 you through whom the curse will disappear! Hail, 0 Restoration of the Fallen Adam; hail, 0 Redemption of the Tears of Eve! Hail, 0 Peak above the reach of human thought; hail, 0 Depth even beyond the sight of angels! Hail, 0 you who have become a kingly Throne; hail, 0 you who carries Him Who carries all! Hail, 0 Star who manifests the Sun; hail, 0 Womb of the Divine Incarnation! Hail, 0 you through whom creation is renewed; hail, 0 you through whom the Creator becomes a Babe! Hail, 0 Bride and Maiden ever-pure!



Kontakion

Knowing that she was a virgin, the Blessed One courageously answered the Angel: "Your surprising words seem hard for my mind to accept; how can you speak of a birth that is to come from a conception without seed? And why do you cry: Alleluia!"



Second Chant

Trying to grasp the meaning of this mystery, the Virgin asked the holy messenger: "How is it possible that a Son be born from a virginal womb? Tell me." And he answered her with awe, crying out in these words: Hail, 0 Hidden Sense of the Ineffable Plan; hail, 0 Belief in Silence That Must Be! Hail, 0 Forecast of the Marvels of Christ; hail, 0 Fountainhead of Truths Concerning Him! Hail, Celestial Ladder by whom God came down; hail, 0 Bridge leading earthly ones to heaven! Hail, 0 Wonder, everthrilling to the angels; hail, 0 Wound, ever-hurting to the demons! Hail, 0 you who gave birth to Light ineffably; hail, 0 you who told no one how it was done! Hail, 0 you who surpasses the wisdom of the wise; hail, 0 you who enlightens faithful minds! Hail, 0 Bride and Maiden ever-pure!



Kontakion

When the power of the Most High overshadowed the one who had never known the nuptial bed, her fruitful womb conceived, and she became for all a delicious field for those who wished to reap salvation by singing: Alleluia!



Third Chant

Pregnant with God, the Virgin hastened to Elizabeth, and her unborn child rejoiced, immediately knowing her embrace. Bouncing and singing, he cried out to the Mother of God: Hail, 0 Tendril whose Bud shall not wilt; hail, 0 Soil whose Fruit shall not perish! Hail, 0 Tender of mankind’s loving Tender; hail, 0 Gardener of the Gardener of Life! Hail, 0 Earth who yielded abundant mercies; hail, 0 Table Full-Laden With Appeasement! Hail, for you have greened anew the pastures of delight; hail, for you have prepared a haven for the souls! Hail, Acceptable Incense of prayer; Hail, Expiation of the Whole Universe! Hail, 0 Favor of God to Mortal Men; hail, 0 Trust of Mortals Before God! Hail, 0 Bride and Maiden ever-pure!



Kontakion

Filled with a storm of contradictory thoughts, the wise Joseph was greatly disturbed; until then, he had seen you, a virgin, and now he suspected you of secret guilt, All-Blameless One! Learning that your conception was of the Holy Spirit, he cried out: Alleluia!



Fourth Chant

The shepherds heard the angels singing hymns of praise to the coming of Christ in the flesh. And running to Him as to a shepherd, they saw Him as a spotless Lamb grazing at Mary’s breasts. They sang a hymn to her and said: Hail, 0 Mother of lamb and Shepherd; hail, 0 Fold of Rational Sheep! Hail, 0 Protection Against Unseen Foes; hail, 0 Key to the Doors of paradise! Hail, for the heavenly rejoice with the earthly; hail, for the earthly meet the heavenly in song! Hail, the Unsilenced Voice of Apostles; hail, the Undaunted Might of Martys! Hail, 0 Steadfast Foundation of Faith; hail, 0 Shining Emblem of Grace! Hail, 0 you through whom death was despoiled; hail, 0 you through whom we were clothed with glory! Hail, 0 Bride and Maiden ever-pure!



Kontakion

When they saw the star moved by God, the Magi followed its glittering light. Using it as a beacon, they found through it the Mighty King, and reaching the One Beyond All Reach, they rejoiced and cried out to Him: Alleluia!



Fifth Chant

The sons of Chaldea saw in the Virgin’s hands the One Whose hands had fashioned men, and acknowledging Him as the Master, although he had taken the form of a servant, they hastened to honor Him with their gifts, and cried out the Blessed One: Hail, 0 Mother of the Star Without Setting; hail, 0 Radiance of the Mystical Day! Hail, 0 you who quenched the flame of error; hail, 0 Light of those who search the + Trinity! Hail, 0 you who unthroned the enemy of men; hail, 0 you who showed forth Christ the Lord, the Lover of Mankind! Hail, 0 you who cleansed us from the stain of pagan worship; hail, 0 you who saved us from the mire of evil deeds! Hail, 0 you who made cease the cult of fire; hail, 0 you who dispelled the flames of passion! Hail, 0 you who guides the faithful toward wisdom; hail, 0 Delight of All the Nations! Hail, 0 Bride and Maiden ever-pure!



Kontakion

The Magi, having become God-bearing heralds, returned to Babylon, conforming to Your command, announcing You, the Christ, to all, and leaving Herod as a fool who did not know how to sing: Alleluia!



Sixth Chant

Illuminating Egypt with the light of truth, You cast away the darkness of error. For the idols, unable to stand Your might, fell down, and those who had been delivered from them cried out to the Mother of God: Hail, 0 Resurrection of Mankind; hail, 0 Downfall of the Demons! Hail, 0 you who crushed the error of deceit; hail, 0 you who exposed the fraud of idols! Hail, 0 Sea who drowned the symbolic Pharaoh; hail, 0 Rock who quenched those who thirst for life! Hail, 0 Pillar of Fire who guided those in darkness; hail, 0 Shelter of the World, wider than the clouds! Hail, 0 Food who took the place of Manna; hail, 0 Servant of Holy Delight! Hail, 0 Land of the Promised Good; hail, 0 you who flow with milk and honey! Hail, 0 Bride and Maiden ever-pure!



Kontakion

As Simeon was about to leave the present deceitful world, You were entrusted to him as an Infant, but You made Yourself known to him as the Perfect God. Wherefore, he marveled at Your wisdom beyond words, and cried out: Alleluia!



Seventh Chant

The Creator displayed a new creation to us who had come from Him: He came forth from a womb that had received no seed, and He left it intact as it had been, so that at the sight of this marvel, we would sing to her and cry out: Hail, 0 Blossom of Incorruption; hail, 0 Crown of Self-Mastery! Hail, 0 you who shone forth as a Sign of Resurrection; hail, 0 you who displayed the life of angels! Hail, Fruitful Tree from whom believers feed; hail, Shady Glen where many are sheltered! Hail, 0 you who have borne the Guide of the Lost; hail, 0 Source of Life to the Captives’ Release! Hail, 0 you who unsettled even the just judge; hail, Indulgence of many who have fallen! Hail, 0 Stole for those who lack freedom to speak; hail, 0 Tenderness who exceeds all desire! Hail, 0 Bride and Maiden ever-pure!



Kontakion

Now that we have seen this strange birth, let us estrange ourselves from the world and turn our minds to heaven; indeed, it is for this that the God Most High appeared on earth as a lowly man, desiring to draw up to heaven those who cry out to Him: Alleiuia!



Eighth Chant

While fully present amid those below, the Uncircumscribed Word was in no way absent from those above; for what happened was a divine condescension, and not a moving from one place to another; and it was a birth from a Virgin inspired by God, who heard these words: Hail, 0 Space of the spaceless God; hail, 0 Gate of the Sublime Mystery! Hail, 0 Message unsure to men without faith; hail, 0 Glory most certain to those who believe! Hail, 0 Sacred Chariot of the One Above the Cherubim; hail, Perfect Dwelling of the One Above the Seraphim! Hail, 0 you who reconciled opposites; hail, 0 you who combined maidenhood and motherhood! Hail, 0 you through whom transgression was erased; hail, 0 you through whom paradise was opened! Hail, 0 Key to the Kingdom of Christ; hail; 0 Hope for the Ages of Bliss! Hail, 0 Bride and Maiden ever-pure!



Kontakion

The whole order of Angels marveled at the great work of Your becoming a man. For they saw the One Inaccessible as God become a Man Accessible to All, living with us and hearing all cry out: Alleluia!



Ninth Chant

0 Mother of God, we see the best of speakers become as mute as fish in your regard, for they could not explain how you could give birth while remaining a virgin. As for us, while marveling at the mystery, we cry out to you with faith: Hail, 0 Container of God’s Wisdom; hail, 0 Treasury of His Providence! Hail, 0 Reproof of Foolish Philosophers; hail, 0 Confusion of Speechless Wise Men! Hail, for you perplexed the inquisitive minds; hail, for you dried up the inventors of myths! Hail, for you ripped the Athenians’ meshes; hail, for you filled the Fishermen’s nets! Hail, 0 Retriever From the Abyss of Ignorance, hail, 0 Lamplight of Knowledge to Many! Hail, 0 Ship for Those Who Seek Salvation; hail, 0 Harbor for the Sailors of Life! Hail, 0 Bride and Maiden ever-pure!



Kontakion

Desiring to save the world, the Creator of All came down to it of His own will. Being at the same time our Shepherd and our God, He appeared among us, a man like us. And so the like called upon the Like, and as God He heard: Alleluia!



Tenth Chant

0 Virgin God-Bearer, you are the Strength of Virgins and of all those who have recourse to you. For the Maker of Heaven and Earth covered you with His shadow, 0 Pure One, and came to dwell in your womb, and taught us all to cry out to you: Hail, 0 Pillar of Virginity; hail, 0 Gateway of Salvation! Hail, 0 Principle of the New Creation; hail, 0 Dispenser of God’s Bounties! Hail, for you restored those born in shame; hail, for you gave sense to those who had lost it! Hail, 0 you who stopped the corruptor of minds; hail, 0 you who bore the Sower of Chastity! Hail, Holy Chamber of Virginal Wedlock; hail, 0 you who joins the faithful with God! Hail, 0 gracious Foster-Mother of Virgins; hail, 0 Bridesmaid of Holy Souls! Hail, 0 Bride and Maiden ever-pure!



Kontakion

Every hymn falls short when it attempts to sing the multitude of Your mercies. We could sing to You as many songs as there are grains of sand, 0 Holy King, without ever doing anything worthy of what You have given to those who cry out to You: Alleluia!



Eleventh Chant

We see the holy Virgin as a brilliant luminary enlightening those who live in darkness; for having kindled the Immaterial Light, she leads men to the knowledge of God and fills their minds with radiance, so that she is worthily praised in these words: Hail, 0 Beam of the Mystical Sun; hail, 0 Radiance of the Light Without Setting! Hail, Lightning-Flash that brightens the souls; hail, Thunder-Clap that strikes down the foes! Hail, for you have raised the many-lighted Star; hail, for you have opened the many-coursed Stream! Hail, 0 you who traced the Living Model of the Pool; hail, 0 you who erased the stain of sin! Hail, Flowing Water that cleanses the conscience; hail, Holy Vessel overflowing with joy! Hail, 0 Fragrance of the Sweetness of Christ; hail, 0 Life of the Mystical Banquet! Hail, 0 Bride and Maiden ever-pure!



Kontakion

Because He wished to grant release from all the ancient debts, the One Who pays men’s dues came down Himself to those who had spumed His grace. He tore up their obligations, and heard from all of them this cry: Alleluia!



Twelfth Chant

By singing praise to your maternity, we all exalt you as a Spiritual Temple, 0 Theotokos! For the One Who dwelt within your womb, the Lord Who holds all things in His hands, sanctified you, glorified you and taught all men to sing to You: Hail, 0 Tabernacle of God the Word; hail, Holy One, more holy that the Saints! Hail, 0 Ark that the Spirit has gilded; hail, Inexhaustible Treasure of Life! Hail, Precious Crown of Rightful Authorities; hail, Sacred Glory of Reverent Priests! Hail, Unshakable Tower of the Church; hail, Unbreachable Wall of the Kingdom! Hail, 0 you through whom the trophies are raised; hail, 0 you through whom the enemies are routed! Hail, 0 Healing of My Body; hail, 0 Salvation of My Soul! Hail, 0 Bride and Maiden ever-pure!



Kontakion

0 Mother Worthy of All Praise, you who have given birth to the Word, the Holiest of the Holy, accept this present offering, deliver all men from every affliction, and save from the future punishment those who cry out to you: Alleluia!



Hirmos

Gabriel was rapt in amazement as he beheld your virginity and the splendor of your purity, 0 Mother of God, and he cried out to you: "By what name shall I call you? I am bewildered; I am lost! I shall greet you as I was commanded to do: ‘Hail, 0 Woman Full of Grace!"’

Recite the Concluding Prayers.