Daily Devotion to the Theotokos -- Day 22

Daily Devotion to the Theotokos

Twenty-second Day of the Month

Introduction

The Orthodox Christian Teaching About the Life of the Holy Theotokos, the Ever-Virgin Mary

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Queen of all Creation

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"Awed by the beauty of thy Virginity, and the exceeding radiance of thy purity, Gabriel called out unto thee, O Theotokos: "What worthy hymn of praise can I offer unto thee? And what shall I name thee? I am in doubt and stand in awe. Wherefore, as commanded, I cry to thee: Rejoice, O Full of grace." (Troparion, Tone 6)

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Gabriel the Archangel was sent to announce to you that you had been found worthy to be the Mother of God. This great mystery of Divine love was beyond the understanding even of his pure, sinless mind. The commander of the angelic hosts approaches a mortal woman in fear and trembling, for he sees in you one who is higher, more pure and more honored than all the angelic powers. Although he serves God from before His very throne, he announces to you that this same God is about to become a babe in your womb. Gabriel recognizes you as the glorious throne of God, for as He sits upon the Heavenly throne, so now He rests in your womb.

The beauty of pure, godly virginity and the majesty of perfect obedience to God's will have made you awesome even to the angels, and worthy of all honor and veneration by mankind.

Call to mind, O faithful, the strength of the temptations of this life, and think how often we fall in mind and in body. The world does not value such purity and virginity. The world teaches our young to obey the passions rather than God and, to conform to coarse materialism rather than to the Gospel.

Recall how difficult it is to truly turn from the world and serve God. Then contemplate the Holy Virgin who, with the help of divine grace, conquered all these things while still a young girl.

As we stand in reverent wonder before her, Orthodox Christian people, let us resolve to struggle to imitate her purity and obedience. With her prayers and God's help we may hope to become free of evil thoughts and deeds, and become conformed to the Holy Scripture. Turning to her in prayer, let us call to her:

O Pure Virgin, I too stand in awe before you. I am amazed when I recall how you completely conquered the passions and distractions of life. I beseech you, O Mother of the Saviour, to inspire me with a longing to imitate your life of purity and service. Pray to Christ God that He may strengthen me to struggle to become His servant alone, and not to serve the Evil-One. Guide me, O Mother, along the path to purity of mind, heart and body, and lead me into perfect obedience and conformity to the Holy Scripture. Make me a true follower and servant of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who is glorified with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

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