Daily Devotion to the Theotokos

 Twenty-seventh Day of the Month

"O Protection of Christians that cannot be put to shame, mediation unto the Creator most constant, O forsake not the suppliant voice of those who have sinned; but be thou quick, O good one, to come unto our aid, who in faith cry unto thee. Hasten to intercession and speed thou to supplication, thou who dost ever protect, Theotokos, those who honor thee." (Theotokion of the Sunday Liturgy)

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Let us contemplate this hymn together, brothers and sisters, for its words are powerful and full of meaning.

The Virgin was a human, born of the fallen nature like us. How, then, can we call her a "protection of Christians?"

In a way, all the great saints can be called by us "protectors of Christians", for, by their great struggle and cooperation with God's grace, they have defeated the power of Satan. Filled with the grace of the Holy Spirit and having Christ abiding in them, they have become a terror to demons. In them we clearly see the liberation from bondage made possible by Jesus Christ. Each of their victories has weakened the power of Satan and undermined the greatness of the influence of the demons over our human nature. Their victory, through the grace of Jesus Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is, to all who live according to the Orthodox faith, a shield and protection against the power and deceits of Satan. The Theotokos is the greatest of all the saints, made the holiest and most grace-filled of all humanity by God's will. It is clear, then, that she has the power of grace and that she, above all the holy servants of God, is a terror to demons and a weakening of their power. Therefore, she has been made a "protection of Christians" by the grace of God and the power and authority of her Son, Jesus Christ.

If the Scripture says, "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Jesus Christ" (l Timothy 2:5), how can we, then refer to the Holy Virgin as a "mediation unto the Creator".

Ask yourselves, Orthodox people: Is Jesus Christ truly God, or is He only a "semi-god" or just an especially holy prophet? If Jesus Christ is God, then how is He a mediator between God and man?

Jesus Christ is the only mediator between God and man because He alone united God and man together. Because He is God and became also man, He is the one who stood between (mediated) and brought together God and man; in other words, in Him, God and man are united as one. Moreover, Christ mediated our salvation by fulfilling all righteousness for us, thereby re-uniting each of us with God.

The Virgin Mary is called "mediation" in two senses: first of all, God became man through her. The union of the divine and human took place in her womb, therefore, in this sense, the mediation of our salvation took place in her. Secondly, by her prayers and life, and the fact that she has already experienced the victory over death. She draws us nearer to God, and so in this sense, she is a mediation, not of our salvation, but of our nearness to God, for she draws us closer to Him.

The Theotokos is a special human being who has been united with God in a unique way. She is a vessel of divine grace and, therefore she hears our prayers and offers us spiritual comfort. The Theotokos aids us in our struggle against the power and influence of Satan, when we call on her for help.

Like any good Christian, she intercedes and makes supplication for us, as the Scripture commands (1 Timothy 2:1).

Let us, therefore, in Orthodox fashion, honor the Most Pure Theotokos as truly the Mother of our God and Saviour. Let us honor her as the highest of the human race, a special servant and instrument of God, chosen by Him to serve in the awesome mystery of our redemption.