Offsite Post: ‘Mary the Mother of God as Our Protector’

 

Melissa MacKenzie explained in a recent podcast the importance to society of the Ever-Virgin Mary, as the archetype of (and inspiration towards) true womanhood and motherhood.  She had many salutary things to say, and, as the Great Feast of the Annunciation to the Mother of God is upon us (March 25^th), we would like to extend the discussion of the centrality of the Theotokos (literally, Birthgiver of God) for Christians.

It is no secret that the peoples of the States face dangers from a number of different vectors:  an invasion at the border, suicidal nihilists who murder school children, inner city gangs, etc.  We are in dire need of guardians.  And throughout Church history, Christians have often turned to the Theotokos for protection and deliverance from violent foes.

This is seen very clearly in Orthodox Church hymnography.  One of them, the Akathist Hymn to the Mother of God, sung during Great Lent, was originally done so in celebration of her protection of Constantinople on various occasions.  For example, during the reign of the Emperor Heraclius in the 7^th century:

Now the Khagan, that is, the ruler, of the Mysians and the Scythians (Avars and Slavs [Bulgars]), on learning that the Emperor had crossed over the sea into Persia, broke his treaty with the Romans and, at the head of countless hordes, invaded Constantinople from the west, sending up blasphemous cries against God. At once, the sea became full of ships, and the land was filled with innumerable infantry and cavalry. Patriarch Sergios made many appeals to the people of Constantinople not to fall into despair, but to place all their hope wholeheartedly in God and His Mother, the All-Immaculate Theotokos. Bonus, a Patrician, who was governor of the city at that time, made suitable preparations for warding off the enemy; for, together with help from on high, we, for our part, must do whatever we can. Along with the entire populace, the Patriarch, carrying the holy Icons of the Mother of God, went around the upper walls, thereby ensuring their security. When Sharbaraz from the east and the Khagan from the west began to set fire to the outskirts of the city, the Patriarch bore the Icon of Christ “Not Made with Hands,” the pieces of the Precious and Life-giving Cross, as well as the Precious Robe of the Mother of God and went around the walls. The Scythian Khagan launched an attack on Constantinople via the land walls with a countless multitude of soldiers, so great that for every Roman there were ten Scythians fighting against him. But the invincible Champion, with the very few soldiers who were in her Church of the Life-Giving Spring, destroyed a very large number of the enemy. Encouraged by this and rejoicing over it, the Romans, under their invincible leader, the Mother of God, continued to inflict heavy defeats on them.

Some of the hymns themselves are as follows:

 . . .

The rest is at https://thehayride.com/2024/03/garlington-mary-the-mother-of-god-as-our-protector/.

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Holy Ælfred the Great, King of England, South Patron, pray for us sinners at the Souð, unworthy though we are!

Anathema to the Union!