“MORE HONORABLE THAN THE CHERUBIM AND BEYOND COMPARE MORE GLORIOUS THAN THE SERAPHIM…

“Seeing the grace of the secret mysteries of God made manifest and clearly fulfilled in the Virgin, I rejoice; and I know not how to understand the strange and secret manner whereby the Undefiled has been revealed AS ALONE CHOSEN ABOVE ALL CREATION, VISIBLE AND SPIRITUAL. Therefore, wishing to praise Her, I am struck dumb with amazement in both mind and speech. Yet still I dare to proclaim and magnify Her: She is indeed the Heavenly Tabernacle

“The Theotokos is still magnified, but here the praise comes amid illness, fear and tears, from people asking to be consoled because life has become difficult

“The Holy Spirit will come down upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the one born of you will be called holy, the Son of God

“Every tongue is at a loss to praise Thee as is due; even a spirit from the world above is filled with dizziness, when it seeks to sing Thy praises, O Theotoos. But since Thou art good, accept our faith. Thou knowest well our love inspired by God, for Thou art the Protector of Christians, and we magnify Thee

“Just as the Mother of God held her Son on her left arm, close to her heart, when He was a child and presented Him to the world, so now her Son in heaven holds her soul in His hands and presents it to the angels

“the icon reveals the unique bond between Jesus Christ and His Mother, as well as the honour bestowed upon her by her Son

Patriarch Daniel ›

Reported

“What a paradoxical miracle! * For the fountain of life * is consigned to a tomb, * and the grave now becomes a ladder to heaven above. * Be glad, O Gethsemane, * the holy shrine of the blessed Mother of God. * With Gabriel as our chief, * come, O believers, and let us cry out to her: * Lady full of grace, rejoice, * for the Lord is with you, * and through your intercessions * He bestows great mercy on the world.