True devotion to Mary, as Fr. Neuhaus recently reminded us , always points us to Christ. Like most converts to Catholicism or Orthodoxy, Marian devotion has taken some getting used to for me. I therefore found Frederica Mathewes-Green’s The Lost Gospel of Mary: The Mother of Jesus in Three Ancient Texts very helpful, and particularly suitable for Advent. Aside from the sideswipes at the Western church that one finds too often in Orthodox writing, the book a gem for those seeking to learn more about Mary from the primary texts of sacred tradition. Frederica has translated The Proto-Evangelium of James, the Sub Tuum Praesidium , and the Akathist Hymn of St. Romanos to the Theotokos, these being excellent examples of pious legend about Mary, prayer to her, and hymns of praise in her honor. I found the latter especially beautiful not only in its imagery but in the way it pointed to Christ as well. A free translation of the Akathist Hymn can be found here , but a sample is below. As we contemplate the coming of Christ and the actions of his Mother leading up to it, this hymn can lead us to a better love of both.
Pregnant with God, the Virgin hastened to Elizabeth, her unborn child rejoiced, immediately knowing her embrace. Bouncing and singing, he cried out to the Mother of God:
Hail, O Tendril whose Bud shall not wilt!
Hail, O Soil whose Fruit shall not perish!
Hail, O Tender of mankind’s loving Tender!
Hail, O Gardener of the Gardener of Life!
Hail, O Earth who yielded abundant mercies!
Hail, O 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, O you Favor of God to mortal men!
Hail, O you Trust of mortals before God!
Hail, O Bride and Maiden ever-pure!
Hail, O Bride and Maiden ever-pure!
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