Daily Devotion to the Theotokos

 Twelfth Day of the Month

"Now the birth of Jesus took place in this manner: Mary, His mother, was engaged to Joseph, but before they were wed together, she was found to be with child..." "In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee, called Nazareth, to a virgin who was engaged to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the name of this virgin was Mary. And coming into her presence, he said: Rejoice, greatly favored one, the Lord is with you." (Matthew 1:8; Luke 1:26-28)

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The Theotokos, who was especially chosen by God, took a vow of virginity in her youth in order to serve God. She was betrothed to an elderly relative, Joseph, in order to help her maintain this vow and so that the plan of God might be carried out. Our society finds the betrothal of Mary hard to understand. They do not ask how a person could be betrothed and yet remain in virginity, but why one should even want to. Virginity and chastity are not valued highly by mankind in our time. Not only is bodily chastity not highly regarded, but spiritual and mental chastity are almost unheard of.

Christian people, think about the life of the Most Pure Virgin. See her as an example to all mankind and especially to us who are believers. If we could imitate her life only a little, would not the world around us be transformed?

She maintained her virginity from pure love and the desire to serve God and all mankind. Her purity, however, was not in body only, but in mind and heart as well. "Blessed are the pure in heart," the Saviour said, "for they shall see God." Those who are married and live in chastity with their spouse and those who are not married and live in virginity are physically clean. But, if they have evil desires, envy, malice or any such passion burning in their hearts, they are not pure. If they bear grudges, refuse to forgive or spend their time judging their neighbor, their chastity and virginity are of no use for the salvation of their souls.

Brothers and sisters, one can remain a virgin from self-love and a selfish desire not to share oneself and life with anyone, or one can remain a virgin for the sake of a higher love and a sincere desire to serve God and humanity. When we contemplate about the life of the Most Pure and Holy Virgin, and seek to imitate her life, let us remember that her purity was not only physical, but spiritual. In meekness, humility and loving obedience, she equaled the purity of the angels. Her heart was free of all malice, envy and condemnation. She was virgin in body, uncorrupted by sexual activity; she was virgin in heart, undefiled by enmity and evil thoughts; and she was virgin in soul, never having served anyone or anything except God.

O brothers and sisters, Orthodox faithful, if we could struggle to imitate her life only a little, think how many souls around us might be saved. Let us turn to the Most Pure and sacred Virgin Mary, praying:

Most Holy Theotokos, I beseech you to look with compassion upon me, denied and impure though I am. Teach me the true meaning of purity and chastity; instruct me in the ways of righteousness. I am weak in spirit and full of passions and desires. Pray to our Lord and Saviour that through the grace of the Holy Spirit, I may find the path of chastity, both of body and soul, and acquire purity of heart, so that I may hope to see God when I depart from this life.