“To you, the Champion Leader, we your servants dedicate a feast of victory and of thanksgiving as ones rescued out of sufferings, O Theotokos; but as you are one with might which is invincible, from all dangers that can you deliver us, that we may cry to you: Rejoice, you Bride Unwedded”
Words which we as the faithful have chanted for over a thousand years.
Brothers and sisters in Christ, the hymn which echoes through our churches every Friday evening during Great Lent, is a hymn that was from its beginning, a plea from humanity in its time of need.
When the great city of Constantinople was besieged in the 6th century, the faithful paraded the icon of the Theotokos around the walls of the city. It was then, that by slim chance and of course the Great intercession of the Mother of God, the walls were not penetrated and the city was saved. This hymn is dedicated to the Virgin Mary the mother of God.
Till this day, as was from the very beginning, the Church views the Theotokos as someone who intercedes for us at the highest of levels. One whom even the Creator will listen to and She has a special place and sets a unique example for all of humanity in a multitude of ways.
For the women for example, first and foremost, does she symbolize and change the sinful nature of all females in humanity. She is, as called by the great church fathers, the new “eve”. The Eve that should have been. The one who instead of betraying, obeyed. Instead of denied, accepted with the greatest of humility.
Then, We learn that she serves as a role model. For all young and females alike. She demonstrates how women should be caring, humble, faithful. She teaches women to have the upmost love and loyalty to those in their own lives. She teaches women to be strong, and smart against any evil and cunning adversary. All whilst, teaching the most important thing, the sweet innocent heart-filled smile.
Now, from a male perspective and upon personal reflection, it has interesting to know that the Theotokos also serves a unique and rather special purpose and lesson towards us.
In various hymns, and writings the saints constantly describe the mother of God, for her compassion, her empathy, her eyes, her lips, and her smile.
These are traits that all females somewhat contain, yet sometimes, we as males tend to overlook those ‘minor’ (at least to us) details. For whenever we look into the eyes or into the smile of our mothers, grandmothers, or wives, or loved ones, we tend to immediately succumb to a sweet sweet glow.
This glow is frequently mentioned within this service. This atmospheric euphoria is embedded within the words said and chanted during the service.
The natural glow of the Theotokos is something that God has graced all females with. That sweet merciful smile and calmness they generate just by their daily presence in our lives.
The Virgin Mary teaches us directly to further appreciate the uniqueness of womanhood, the loyalty and companionship of a woman, and most importantly their selfless hearts.
For when the mother of God found out her son was in the worst of perils, her selfless heart immediately cracked, and the pain she experienced made her into the loving intercessor she is. For this reason, we call her mother. For this reason, we ask for her to reach us and show us her compassion and sweet mercy. For this reason, we also must take the example of the reverence the saints had for the feminine qualities of the mother of God and realize them in our everyday life. Realize that females are not anything more than the beautiful heavenly image of God. Who by adoration, reverence, and love can reach the level of compassion, mercy, and honor as the Theotokos.
For this reason brothers and sisters, we encourage you all to begin attending these weekly services. To learn, to pray, to be attentive, and beg for the most merciful mother of God to meet us with a comforting smile. To teach us the ways of a selfless heart.
May you all have a blessed Lent.
Most holy Theotokos, pray for us and save your unworthy and sinful servants.
Source: Orthodox Metropolis of Zambia