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Fortunatus

posted on Mar 30, 2004 - 12:56 AM

+Iryny nem `hmot

All the heavenly multitudes,
Declare your blessedness,
For you are the Second Heaven,
Upon the earth.

It is hard for us to picture such a thing! How many of us can see in our minds hosts and hosts of archangels, angels, principalities, thrones, dominions and powers praising a human being! There is no reason for surprise, though, the Archangel greeted her and said, "Hail -" or by other translations, "Rejoice thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women."

An archangel is saluting her! But how did he know that she is favoured, how did he know to say that she is blessed among women? Because our God made it known among the heavenly and among all nations. If our God Himself looks upon her with favour, how could even but one spiritual being among the heavenly consider not praising her also? How could we not join in and praise her as well?

In her womb dwelt the King of Kings - she was the second heaven upon the earth because of this - because God humbled Himself and dwelt in the womb of the Mother of Life. Because He is God, the heavenly would not cease to praise Him. So the Cherubim and the Seraphim and the angels all bowed before Him, still in her womb, prasing Him continually as befits the God of all creation. The very presence of Him in her womb is an honour to her, it is an honour above all comprehension and praise! If His presence honoured her, than all the more befitting that the heavenly praise her also. All the more then, should we praise her and say, "Rejoice favoured one! Hail to you! For you are blessed among women - the pride of our race!"

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Fortunatus

posted on Mar 31, 2004 - 07:06 AM

+Iryny nem `hmot

The door to the East,
Is the Virgin Mary,
The honoured bridal chamber,
For the pure Bridegroom.

The door to the East is the entrance for Salvation - it is the door toward that which is good. A door is a means by which we reach another destination. It is befitting, then, to call Saint Mary this door. For through her, the Lord of Hosts was born so that He might redeem and save us. He used her as His entrance into this world, a blessing and honour incomparable!

If only we, too, were but to be doors to others. If only our behaviour and lives might reflect the glory of what has come to pass, the glory of His love and Divine dispensation, so that others might through us be drawn also to Him. If only we could learn to be like the Virgin!

The Virgin Mary is the bridal chamber, since she was the place where the Groom dwelt, and also where He espoused our humanity. She contained in her womb the Lord most pure, and she is also the bride!

I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels. - Isaiah 61:10

The Holy Virgin is the beautiful bride, adorned with the beauty of virtue. Oh that we might also be decorated such, that we even just struggle for such! The Virgin put on the garment of salvation literally when He dwelt in her womb. So let us struggle to be virtuous and pure, for the Lord chose her for her virginity, virtues, her spiritual beauty, not for any earthly reasons. Let us struggle for these things, and pray for His aid, so that we too can be found worthy to be His spouses on that last day.

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Fortunatus

posted on Apr 01, 2004 - 06:54 AM

+Iryny nem `hmot

The Father looked from heaven,
And found no one like you,
He sent His Only Begotten,
Who came and took flesh from you.

Knowing this, it is amazing that the Holy Virgin had any humility whatsoever. Being the mother of the Messiah was something that all Jewish women dreamed about. It was their hope of hopes. In fact, having no son was an embarrassment, and having no children at all even worse. It was that very hope that was the reason why Hannah, Samuel's mother, was mocked and ridiculed - her infertility meant to others that she had not found favour with God, that she could never be the mother of the Anointed One.

The Virgin, somehow, was still humble, despite how "flattering" this news must have been. God the Father looked down and found no one like her. This does not mean that He looked down only at the Virgin Mary's generation - it means that He looked at all of us, and not a single one of us was worthy of what she was found worthy of! Despite this, she submitted to Him as a handmaid, as a servant. She does not presume herself to be an authority, she still has a servant's heart. In fact, she is more interested in her cousin, Elizabeth, than herself - and runs over to see and serve her!

What a lesson to us in humility, that none of us were seen by God to be as beautiful as her. What a great lesson to us in humility that this greatest of women did not have a spot of pride in her. What a lesson to us in humility, that this woman in her greatness served others instead of herself. What a lesson to us, that the humbling of God - His Incarnation - took place in the womb of the most humble of women. Humility Himself was brought forth from a humble woman; Salvation came not from pride.

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Fortunatus

posted on Apr 02, 2004 - 07:41 AM

+Iryny nem `hmot

They spoke of you with honour,
O City of God,
For you are the Dwelling place,
Of all the joyful.

They spoke of you indeed.

They:
a) The Prophets
"This gate shall be shut, it shall not be opened, and no man shall enter in by it; because the LORD, the God of Israel, hath entered in by it, therefore it shall be shut. It is for the prince; the prince, he shall sit in it to eat bread before the LORD; he shall enter by the way of the porch of that gate, and shall go out by the way of the same." (Ezekial 44:2-3)

"Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel..." (Isaiah 7:14).
"He saw in his sleep a ladder standing upon the earth, and the top thereof touching heaven, the angels also of God ascending and descending by it." (Genesis 28:12)

b) The Heavenly
""He saw in his sleep a ladder standing upon the earth, and the top thereof touching heaven, the angels also of God ascending and descending by it." (Luke 1:28)

c) The Apostles
"But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart." (Luke 2:19)

"These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren." (Acts 1:14)

It suffices that all four Gospels speak of her!

d) The Fathers
"If it is made possible, I intend to come to you in order to see the faithful gathered in Jerusalem, and especially the Mother of Jesus: they say of her that she is honorable, affable, and arouses wonder in all, and all wish to see her. But who would not wish to see the Virgin and to converse with her who bore the true God? ·..With us she is glorified as the Mother of God and the Virgin full of grace and virtue. They say of her that she is joyful in troubles and persecutions, does not grieve in poverty and want, and not only does not get angry with those who offend her but does good to them still more..,.All who see her are delighted." - St. Ignatius, disciple of Saint John

"Come, let us wonder at the virgin most pure, wondrous in herself, unique in creation, she gave birth, yet knew no man; her pure soul with wonder was filled, daily her mind gave praise in joy at the twofold wonder: her virginity preserved, her child most dear. Blessed is He who shone forth from her!" - St. Ephrem the Syrian

"Heaven did not conceive Him nor bear Him nor suckle Him, but she bore, embraced, raised Him and to her belongs a blessing!" - St. Jacob of Serug

All these and more spoke of the Blessed Virgin, we are compelled in humility to do the same - O thou who brought forth the Joy of all Nations!

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Min_Al_Momkin

posted on Apr 19, 2004 - 11:42 PM

All the kings of the earth,
walk in your light,
and the nations in your brightness
O Mary, the Mother of God

King David the Psalmist spoke of the Virgin Mother on the behalf of the kings and princes of the earth saying: "At your right hand stands the queen in gold of Ophir" (Ps. 45:9). Truly, she is the Heavenly Queen, adorned in gold, and praised by the angels. No master, governor, king, prince, or ruler can resemble the glory and honor of the heavenly queen. She is the Mother of God, and "has found favor with God" (Luke 1:30).

We cannot walk in darkness, or else we go astray and not know where we go. Therefore, we need a source of light. The Virgin Mother is a source of light. Through her, we see the living meaning of humility, service, sacrifice, endurance, patience and above all, utmost submission and love to the Lord God. How awesome are these virtues? How could we not find favor in her as well? Like a child learns from his mother, so do we, from the Mother of us all, who has borne to us the Savior.

Therefore, the nations of the earthly and their kings walk in the brightness of your virtues and humility, and join the multitude of angels and saints in heaven, praising and honoring you, O full of grace, the Ever-Virgin and Theotokos, St. Mary.

_________________
Ragy Sharkawy
Min_Al_Momkin

"O Lord open my lips and my mouth shall show forth Your praise" (Ps. 51:15)

Joined: Dec 14, 2003 | Posts: 43
Location: Mississauga, ON, Canada

Min_Al_Momkin

posted on Apr 21, 2004 - 12:30 AM

Every generation calls you blessed
And we also worship Him
To Him you gave birth to
And we exalt you too

The Virgin Mother was chosen among the women of humanity. The nations of all ages rejoice with Elizabeth and proclaim saying "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb...Blessed is she who believed" (Lk 1:42 & 45). What great faith was this O Virgin Mother? How could a virgin bear a child? Truly, it is this great faith that has found favor with the Lord God. It is with this faith that you were able to proclaim to Archangel Gabriel "Behold the maidservant of the Lord", because you did believe with your heart, mind, and soul that "with God, nothing will be impossible" (Lk 1:37)

"For behold, henceforth, all generation will call be blesssed. For He who is mighty has done great things from me...He has helped His servant Israel" (Lk. 1:48,49 & 54)

Did the Theotokos say this in a boasting manner, or in concern to herself? Not at all, but with utmost humility. Surely, if she was concerned only of herself, she would not have gone to Elizabeth during her preganancy, and would not have thought of the salvation of Israel and humanity. Truly, her humility was ever so evident during her service for mankind, to be the Mother of the Messiah, so that He may save us.

Why then did she say this? Because she saw that the Lord had done great things for her, that His Power would overshadow her, and Christ the Savior would be born of her. Indeed, this was the greatest blessing any human could receive, to carry the Son of God. How often do we consider this blessing, when partaking of the Body and Blood of Christ? For in doing so, we also bear Christ in our bodies. Let us then rejoice, as St. Mary did, in receiving Christ in us.

Virgin Mother, your faith and humility found favor with the Lord. You realized and understood the true meaning of the blessing of service. We too, offer a humble service of praise and worship to the only begotten Son of the Father, to whom you gave birth to, and join the generations in exalting and honoring you, O Mother of us all, St. Mary.

_________________
Ragy Sharkawy
Min_Al_Momkin

"O Lord open my lips and my mouth shall show forth Your praise" (Ps. 51:15)

Joined: Dec 14, 2003 | Posts: 43
Location: Mississauga, ON, Canada

Min_Al_Momkin

posted on Apr 22, 2004 - 02:02 AM

You are the light cloud
That has lead us to
The rain of the Coming
Of the Only Begotten God

Isaiah propehsized of you O Virgin Mother saying "Behold, the LORD is riding on a swift cloud and comes to Egypt" (Is. 19:1) . You were likened to a cloud which brings forth rain on the earth. For through you, the Lord decsended from heaven upon the earth. By descending from heaven to earth to die for humanity, Christ once again reconciled us with the Father in Heaven, His creation on earth. Through you, O holy Mother, Christ came to save us and reconcile us with the Lord and Creator, who found favor in you.

Water from the clouds falls on the earth in the form of rain. It fills the rivers and seas, nourishes the lands, and quenches the thirst of the living creatures. Our Lord, the Only Begotten God whom you have borne, is the source of the living water. It is this living water that fills us, not in the physical sense, but the spiritual. Indeed, we thirst for the living word of the Lord God that nourishes our spirits. We long to taste life with the Lord Himself. Our lives are not filled except with Him. How often do we look to the needs of the body and not the spirit? How often do we choose to quench the thirst and desire of our bodies, and ignore the well being of our spirits? Surely, the Theotokos offered her body for the Lord from her early years in the temple, and lived to quench her spirit, until she herself became a living temple for the Lord. If it were not so, she would not have been highly favored by the Lord Himself.

Not only were you likened to a cloud, but a light cloud. For the lightness and transparency of this cloud are a symbol of your purity. The Lord chose you among the women of humanity, for you indeed remained a Virgin, and consecrated your body for the Lord to dwell in. The purity of your heart was the source of your humility. You accepted the will of the Lord and submitted to His service and will. You did not boast of this great honor, but humbly proclaimed to the Archangel, calling yourself the "maidservant of the Lord". Surely, you kept the Lord, not only in your body, but in your heart as well. Indeed, you led a life of purity, and for this, you were highly favored. For this, we honor you, and exalt you with the angels and the saints. Intercede for us, O Mother of God, the Pure Theotokos, that He may forgive us our sins.

_________________
Ragy Sharkawy
Min_Al_Momkin

"O Lord open my lips and my mouth shall show forth Your praise" (Ps. 51:15)

Joined: Dec 14, 2003 | Posts: 43
Location: Mississauga, ON, Canada

Min_Al_Momkin

posted on Apr 23, 2004 - 12:55 AM

The Father created you
And the Holy Spirit came upon you
And the Power fo the Highest
Overshadowed you

Surely, the love of the Holy Trinity our God to the Virgin Mother was no coincendence. Truly she found favor in the Lord, and the work of the Three Persons of the Trinity was evident in the Incarnation.

The Theotokos took to heart the words of Isaiah the Prophet "Yet, O LORD, Thou art our Father; we are the clay, and Thou art our Potter; we are all the work of Thy hand" ( Is. 64:8 ). If it were not so, she would not have offered herself to the Lord in love and humility, and would not have questioned the power of the Lord. Indeed, she had faith in her Creator and her God, and knew that with God all things are possible. Only the Creator could allow a virgin to be with child. The Father chose her among the women of all generations. He chose her among His Creation, to carry the Only-Begotten Son, the Savior, in her womb. She is highly favored among the Creation, for even the heavenly honor her in heaven as a Queen. How wonderful is this virtue of submission to the will and service of the our Creator?

The Lord Christ, the Son, dwelt in your womb for nine months. You became the chosen vessel of the Lord. You became the second heaven, the tabernable that carried the Lord the Savior in your womb. You loved Him as your God and as your son, and He loved you as His Mother. If it were not so, He would not have proclaimed to John the Beloved while on the Cross: "Behold, your mother" (Jn. 19:27). You were the first person He saw born into the world, and you were the last person He saw on the Cross, and He entrusted His disciple to take care of you. You loved your son, and served Him to the Cross. How powerful is this virtue of service and love to the Lord and Savior?

The Holy Spirit came upon, and sanctified you, that the Lord may dwell in you. No other person received this honor in humanity. These gifts not only sanctified your womb, but they overshadowed you. Your purity of heart and body found favor in the eyes of the Lord, and it pleased the Holy Spirit to sanctify you and bring upon you His gifts, that you bear the Son of the Most High. Surely this was no earthly power, for what power can allow a virgin to bear a child? What power can sanctify the body to bear the Son of the Living God? What power can give grace and honor? Indeed, this is the Power of the Most High, the work of the Third Person of the Trinity, who loved you and cherished you. How awesome is this virtue and purity that found favor with God?

Intercede on our behalf O Virgin Mother, to our God, the all Holy Trinity, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, that He may have mercy upon our race, and forgive us our sins. Glory be to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

_________________
Ragy Sharkawy
Min_Al_Momkin

"O Lord open my lips and my mouth shall show forth Your praise" (Ps. 51:15)

Joined: Dec 14, 2003 | Posts: 43
Location: Mississauga, ON, Canada

Min_Al_Momkin

posted on Apr 26, 2004 - 01:46 AM

For you have given birth,
To the True Word,
The Son of the Ever-existing Father,
Who came and redeemed us from our sins

The Theotokos lived a life of endurance for the Lord, and did so in complete obedience. She accepted to carry the Son of the Ever-existing Father in her womb at a young age, knowing that many would question the reasoning behind her conception while betrothed to Joseph, or even mock her. She endured giving birth to her Son, the King of kings, in a manger. She endured the long trip from Bethlehem to Egypt as she carried the new born Christ, protecting Him from Herod. She endured living over three years in Egypt, travelling from one place to the next as she continued to care for the Lord. Above all, she saw her only Son grow before her eyes, knowing in her heart that He would one day suffer and die for the sake of the world. Simeon the Prophet proclaimed to the Virgin Mother saying "Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against and a sword will pierce through your own soul also" (Lk. 2:34-35). How did she endure these words of the prophecy, knowing that the Son, Whom she had born, would suffer for the salvation of Israel? How could she live knowing that her Lord and Son would one day die for the sins of humanity?

Indeed, she endured. She watched as the Lord suffered and was mocked. She witnessed her Son, the True Word, scourged and crucified before her eyes as she stood before the Cross. The Prophecy of Simeon was fulfilled, for in piercing the side of her Son, a sword too pierced her own soul, as she cried out saying "The world rejoices in that it has received Salvation, while my heart burns as I look at Your crucifixion, which You are enduring for the sake of all, O my Son and my God" (Litanies of Prayer of the Ninth Hour).

The Lord favored St. Mary because she was ready to live this life of endurance for the sake of humanity. The Lord Himself endured, and because she lived a life of purity with God, she too knew how to endure. No human could have taken this upon themselves if the Lord were not with them. The Virgin lived her life for the Lord and knew His ways, and this Angel too proclaimed to her saying "Hail, O favored one, the Lord is with you!". She loved the Lord, and endured for Him. How much do we endure and struggle for the Lord? Indeed, our Virgin Mother, the blessed St. Mary, kept this virtue in her life. Intercede for us, O Mother of God, the True Word, who endured for our sake, to have mercy upon us, and forgive us our sins.

_________________
Ragy Sharkawy
Min_Al_Momkin

"O Lord open my lips and my mouth shall show forth Your praise" (Ps. 51:15)

Joined: Dec 14, 2003 | Posts: 43
Location: Mississauga, ON, Canada

Kalax

posted on Apr 26, 2004 - 05:19 PM

GREAT IS THE HONOUR,
WHICH YOU ARE WORTHY OF
O GABRIEL, THE MESSENGER ANGEL,
YOUR FACE BEAMS WITH JOY.

Most assuredly, the honour given to Archangel Gabriel soared high and above any gift, compliment, kind gesture, need or want. O Gabriel, you are similar to an eagle that brings food to the nest, so all who are hungry may enjoy freely, the food, which abounds forever. You spoke of the future, saying that "she shall bear a son", for the Virgin Mary did not bring forth for Joseph's sake, but for the sake of the whole world, nor was this grace concerning St. Mary alone, but it was poured out on all. You announced that God did not just recently resolve to do these marvelous things by saying:" Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet". Hence, you were the first step in the fulfillment of the many prophecies concerning our Salvation.

Therefore, you are like the one, who has dared all things, including reason, and climbed the highest mountain, announcing eternal Victory and Joy. Great is your honour, which you are worthy of O Gabriel, for you were the one who gave the Greatest 'wake-up call' to all mankind. It was by your heavenly appearance to the Pure Virgin St.Mary, that the way of our Salvation had finally taken way. The ball had started to roll down the hill. The path of our Salvation was in full action. Just as a messenger comes to a city announcing the arrival of a king, so you were the messenger announcing the arrival of the King of Peace, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Humanity was in a house but the problem was that all the doors within, were locked. You announced that the Saviour would release us from all the bonds of sin, while still being under his protection-in His house. You announced that the perfect Godhead and the perfect Manhood of Christ, divested and molded together in one Person, like fire and metal in glowing iron, and that the saints would enjoy the warmth of its heat. The absolute restoring of our lost innocence to its proper place in God. No one other than you, was honoured with the blessing of proclaiming the Salvation of all people, for God took unto Himself all suffering and pains, and finally, was Crucified upon the Cross for you and me-later rising from the dead. Therefore, " the world is a field, and we are the harvest watered by the Grace of God" (paedagogus, 104). O Gabriel, at first we didn't understand why your face beamed with joy but now, we rejoice with you for we have been freed from all the bonds of sin, bathing in the love of our Saviour, saying " You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound" (Psalm. 4:7).

_________________
Alex(Kalax)
1 Thess.5:17

"For this is God's command, that you owe nothing to anyone but the pledge of love, which God has commanded by Christ".(Rom. 13:8)

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Kalax

posted on Apr 27, 2004 - 05:55 PM

FOR YOU ANNOUNCED TO US THE
BIRTH, OF GOD WHO CAME TO US,
AND YOU DECLARED TO MARY,
THE UNDEFILED VIRGIN.

How I thank You, my Father! Your help will surely come...Your help will surely come. You will not leave me in the pit but provide a solution to my poverty. What a privilege to be a child of Yours, whom You love and whom You will help in Your good time! O Gabriel, all things honour you, for you announced that Christ, our God and Friend would come to us, through the Virgin Mary and the Holy Spirit, to save us. But from whom will He save us? Perhaps from enemies? Perhaps from thief’s? No, but from our sins. Hence, it is clear that it is God Who will be born, for it is the attribute of God alone to Forgive sins. It was in the beginning that the finite (humanity) had committed a sin against the infinite (God), hence, God Himself had to be incarnated and die for the absolving of this sin. For just as a murderer must receive an equivalent punishment for the great crime that has been committed, our Lord God and Saviour, Jesus Christ had to die on the account of humanity upon the wood of the live-giving Cross.

You announced this great event to all of us, but you declared it to our mother, the undefiled Virgin. You asserted strongly but joyfully that she would conceive and be the gate of our Salvation. You announced publicly, for the first time that; He would 'come to us'... He would 'come to us' not in a glorious way but in the most humble way, making the mountains bow and tremble. Jesus comes to us as a Light to lighten the darkness and as the Prince of Peace to give us peace and drive fear away. You announced that He will draw near to us as our Helper, to help those in distress, for if the thing we dread the most comes to pass, Jesus Christ is on the scene to help us, for that is love's way. Finally, O Gabriel, you announced the fulfillment of His endless Promises at His birth. Then at His death, burial and glorious Resurrection, you announced that redemption is accomplished and that it has become a right of all sinners to receive with faith the bond of freedom from captivity of sin and death and to accept the call to eternal life. Hence, we can say with confidence as perfect as Christ, that there is no alternative to the aid coming down from above. Blessed is he who receives Christ as the coming King of Righteousness.

“The Lord reigns; let the earth rejoice” (Ps.97: 1)
“The Lord reigns; let the peoples tremble” (Ps.99: 1)

_________________
Alex(Kalax)
1 Thess.5:17

"For this is God's command, that you owe nothing to anyone but the pledge of love, which God has commanded by Christ".(Rom. 13:8)

HCOC Member

HCOC-SING IT! LIVE IT! LOVE IT

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Location: Mississauga,On, Canada

Kalax

posted on Apr 28, 2004 - 09:48 PM

SAYING, "HAIL TO YOU O FULL
OF GRACE, THE LORD IS WITH
YOU, YOU HAVE FOUND FAVOUR,
THE HOLY SPIRIT SHALL COME UPON YOU."

As one who vigorously searches through water, earth, mountain, forest and sand for a great and unique treasure, so the Lord of hosts searched for the purest of treasures, the purest of vessels to bear His only begotten Son, our God and Saviour, Jesus Christ. He examined, explored, searched within and without, tested, conditioned and finally, determined that you were the sweetest of all His creation, worthy to behold God, the King and majesty of all. For this reason, Archangel Gabriel said: "Hail to you O FULL of Grace, the Lord is with you, You have FOUND favour, the Holy Spirit shall come upon you." This is no small blessing but one of great magnitude. He saw your dedication, love, service, purity, humility, obedience, selflessness and favoured you above all living things. You lived in Christ, for “those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires” (Gal. 5:24). He filled you with His Grace, which sustains the whole creation and blessed you beyond measure. You realized that life is a continuing struggle for purity of heart, and for this reason you are honoured by all the heavenly orders. Despite the struggles, you constantly strived for renewal of heart and insisted that He is the only one who can have undivided mastery of your heart. You submitted as a faithful servant and He came and ruled you as the King of Peace, refreshing all of creation by give us His life-giving Spirit. We honour you and bless you, for you were the refined chamber that carried the Most High. By Grace you were, “ filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ-to the Glory and Praise of God (Phil. 1:11).

Now, let us say with confidence: “ I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained. (Phil.4: 18 )

_________________
Alex(Kalax)
1 Thess.5:17

"For this is God's command, that you owe nothing to anyone but the pledge of love, which God has commanded by Christ".(Rom. 13:8)

HCOC Member

HCOC-SING IT! LIVE IT! LOVE IT

Joined: Jul 12, 2003 | Posts: 213
Location: Mississauga,On, Canada

Kalax

posted on Apr 30, 2004 - 01:59 PM

FOR THE POWER OF THE
HIGHEST, WILL OVERSHADOW YOU
MARY, YOU SHALL GIVE BIRTH TO
THE HOLY ONE, THE SAVIOUR OF
THE WHOLE WORLD.

'Awesome' and 'Highly favour’ are word's we use to hardly describe the depth, the wonder and the importance of the Birth of our Lord and Saviour, through the blessed Virgin. However, the truth is that your experience and role in the working out of God's redemptive plan is above all human language and understanding. We cannot express the meticulous details of our Salvation but we thank and glorify Him, for the great Love that was shown to us, as rain from heaven. He fully poured out Himself for our sake, as though He was giving the last cup of water to a desert stricken man, who's thirst can only be satisfied with the water given to him by God, the Holy One and the Saviour of the whole world. The Power of the Most High nourished us. It was through you, O Mary, that we were reunited with our Creator. Both Eve and St. Mary, were virgins, but whereas the one contravened God's command and as a result brought forth disobedience and death, the other Responded meekly to Archangel Gabriel and so made the birth of a Redeemer-the Holy One and Saviour, possible. Eve, while still a virgin, had proved disobedient and so became the cause of death both for herself and for all mankind, but Mary, also a virgin, obeyed and became the cause of Salvation both for herself and for all mankind. Thus, as the human race was bound fast to death through a virgin, so through a virgin it was saved. Hence, she is our universal mother and because she gave birth to the Holy One, the Saviour of the World, her pure womb regenerated men to God and God to men. Therefore, O Mary, you are called the 'mother of all living', for you intercede for us, pleading and asking God, your son, to give eternal life to all His faithful children.

_________________
Alex(Kalax)
1 Thess.5:17

"For this is God's command, that you owe nothing to anyone but the pledge of love, which God has commanded by Christ".(Rom. 13:8)

HCOC Member

HCOC-SING IT! LIVE IT! LOVE IT

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Fortunatus

posted on May 04, 2004 - 07:25 AM

+Pi`<rictoc aftwnf!

[quote]A virginal feast,
Today inspires our tongues,
To give praise to
Mary the Mother of God.[/quote]

A feast of virgins...what is more beautiful in the eyes of our Lord than a virginal soul - a soul that has kept herself spotless for the sake of the bridegroom? What greater expression of love is there, than to keep spotless the spiritual garment given to us, despite how laborious a task that is? Why do people make such an effort? It is because it is such a small thing to do for the sake of Beauty Himself, "Because of the savour of thy good ointments thy name is as ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee" (Song of Songs 1:3)

Imagine, then, the joy at this feast, when all the virgins join together and praise the woman who kept not just her soul virginal, but her body as well. Imagine how great her spiritual beauty is to these virgins at the feast - that she was found worthy to contain the Lord of Hosts! Imagine what temptations and trials she must have faced, but endured because of her love for Him! Indeed, she has typified for the virgins what virginity means, for by keeping herself for the Lord, the Lord chose her for Himself. By sacrificing her all for the Lord, the Lord used her in His plan to sacrifice Himself for her and us all. What more inspiration do the virgins need to honour and glorify her?

Oh that we might understand, that we are supposed to be the virgins at the feast. It is us who must, like her, "put ... on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof (Romans 13:14) " It is only if we keep our virginity that we will be able to sing with comprehension and with our tongues indeed rejoicing, venerating and magnifying the Lady of us all, saying, "Hail to the Holy Virgin who has brought forth unto us the True Light..."

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Vortounatoc
Amyn, Maren a;a!

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Fortunatus

posted on May 05, 2004 - 04:37 AM

+Pi`<rictoc aftwnf!

On account of Him who was born
For us in the City of David,
Our Saviour Jesus,
Christ the Lord.

See how this is all on account of Him? This praise is on account of Him who was born for us. Christ is the First and Last, the Alpha and Omega, how befitting that He be the reason we praise the Virgin. Do we often forget that Christ is the first and last? That He is our reason?

Consider O my soul, and tell me if you are convinced of this... Do you rise each morning and praise the One who created you? Do you utter His Holy Name before all others? Is He the first thought of the morning and the first word off of your tongue? Is He, in truth, your first?

Alas, I fear not. Too often do I put first in my mind in the morning the list of things I need to do that day - instead of Him who will give me the grace to do them. Too often do I rise in the morning, desiring more sleep, instead of leaping to praise my Creator. Too often do I rise and wonder how I will meet the challenges of the day, the people I will speak to, the commitments I have to fulfill...but without having Him in mind. Alas, indeed, my soul, for He is not my first if I choose this way.

Consider again, my soul and tell me: Do you remember to even thank Him for the day before you lie down? Do you remember to examine yourself and how you spent your time with Him during the day? Is He the thought you keep repeating as you drift off into sleep - the little death? Is He the comfort that allows you to lay down in peace and without fear? Do you tremble that He might be the one you meet if you do not wake?

Behold, my soul you should weep, for He is not truly your last. Too often do I neglect to put my day before me, examining how it was spent and how I transgressed or what beautiful moments I spent with Him. Too often am I too excited about the events of the day I had with others or that feed my ego, and forget that He is the only reason for my existence and the One who permits me to live and enjoy such days. Too often I put my head on my pillow thinking of Him only as a duty before sleep, when I would rather think about what the next day holds for me. Too often I forget that He will not allow me to live forever - that I may lay down my head and never lift it again. Cry and weep, my soul, He is not my last when I have neglected Him.

O my God, teach me to hold You in remembrance at all times. Teach me how I might live my love for You. Teach me to pray, and teach me to love You, that I may say with honesty that You are my all in all.

O Virgin Mary, intercede on my behalf, that I, like you, might choose Him for my portion.

_________________
Agapy,
Vortounatoc
Amyn, Maren a;a!

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Fortunatus

posted on May 06, 2004 - 05:33 PM

+Pi`<rictoc aftwnf!
Come all you nations,
So we may give blessings to her,
For She has become both the Mother
and Virgin.

Come all you nations!

"Symeon also blesseth the holy Virgin as the handmaid of the divine counsel, and the instrument of the birth that submitted not itself to the laws of human nature. For being a virgin she brought forth, and that not by man, but by the power of the Holy Spirit having come upon her."
(Saint Cyril of Alexandria, Commentary on the Gospel of Saint Luke, Homily 4, p.61)

It is amazing how all the Nations did bless her - here we see that even the Jews, by voice of Simeon the Elder, praised the Blessed Virgin, recognizing that she was chosen before all people as an instrument for the Divine work of Redemption and Salvation.

We are the other nations - for we are the Gentiles - we are the ones who were not His chosen but became His chosen. Indeed - we make true this verse by mere virtue of our singing it! For we, the Gentiles, are singing in one accord giving blessings to the pure lady! We sing it in various tongues, in every church where we abide, and in one voice join the prophets who also blessed her!

What a joy, but also what a mystery - a paradox incomprehensible and inconceivable to those who lack the Holy Spirit - that a woman could be a mother and still remain virginal. Nor can we claim to fully comprehend it -it is mystery that we witnessed to in actuality - it is a knowledge granted unto us by Him. Our joy is doubled then - as we praise her beauty and splendour that was in her purity and virtue - but on account of Him who made her and Him who chose her! For He is the one who is above "the laws of human nature", it is He, who is above all thought and comprehension! It is He that made the Incomprehensible into a tangible form, that we might see and believe: Christ, God the Word. Blessed art Thou o God, and blessed indeed are you, O Mary, for being part of this great plan! Come, indeed, all you nations!

_________________
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Vortounatoc
Amyn, Maren a;a!

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Biboboy

posted on May 11, 2004 - 02:25 AM

Hail to you, O Virgin,
The pure and incorrupt one,
The Word of the Father,
Came and took flesh from you.

Hail to you, O Virgin Mary: we stand here to praise your purity and incorruption. You were not just pure before you bore the Word of the Father in your womb, but you remained pure througout your life. For this reason, Ever-virgin, your body did not see corruption, and Christ our Lord saw that your body was worthy to be assumed to heaven, for through your body the Lord of all came and took flesh from you.

O pure and incorrupt one, aid us in our war against Satan and his demons, who desire to seperate us from the love of our Lord, to cause us to love the world - the impure and corrupt world, which stains the purity of our soul and corrupts our body. Intercede for us, O pure and incorrupt saint, that we may be saved from the lusts of the world... that we may remain pure in heart, that Christ, the Word of the Father, may come and dwell within us. For the pure in heart will see God.

_________________
"Pray gently and calmly,
Chant hymns with understanding and rhythm;
Then you will soar like a young eagle
High in the heavens"
+ St. Evagrius the Solitary, On Prayer, 82.

Why do I believe in Christianity??
Answer: "I believe because it is impossible!"
+ Tertullian, On the Flesh of Christ, 5:10.

In Christ,
Bishoy
HCOC Member

+ To Protect and Preserve +

HCOC: Sing it! Live it! Love it!

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Location: Mississauga, ON

Biboboy

posted on May 12, 2004 - 12:52 AM

Hail to the chosen vessel,
Which is without blemish,
That is of your true and perfect,
virginity.

When Noah kept himself and his family away from blemish - from the sins that the world was engaged in - he was chosen among all the nations, and was saved from the flood by being protected within a vessel.

When St. Paul the Apostle went on his way to persecute Christians, his zeal and philosophical insights were diverged and were aimed at Christ and His service. He became a chosen vessel by the Lord Himself to spread the Gospel of Christ crucified and ressurected and the Gospel of chastity to all the nations.

As for you, O Virgin, you became the most blessed chosen vessel. Your very own virginity proved that by remaining pure from blemish, one can bear the Logos of God...

Pray for us, O Virgin, that we may follow your purity and refrain from all blemish and the sins of the world, so that we may be chosen vessels for the Lord, in which Christ lives, as He lived in you; by which we are saved from the floods of the world, as Noah was saved; and through which Christ is preached to all the nations, as St. Paul preached. Amen.

_________________
"Pray gently and calmly,
Chant hymns with understanding and rhythm;
Then you will soar like a young eagle
High in the heavens"
+ St. Evagrius the Solitary, On Prayer, 82.

Why do I believe in Christianity??
Answer: "I believe because it is impossible!"
+ Tertullian, On the Flesh of Christ, 5:10.

In Christ,
Bishoy
HCOC Member

+ To Protect and Preserve +

HCOC: Sing it! Live it! Love it!

Questions or comments on the copticheritage.org website? Send me a PM.

Joined: Jun 09, 2003 | Posts: 324
Location: Mississauga, ON

Biboboy

posted on May 12, 2004 - 11:18 PM

Hail to the Paradise,
speaking of Christ,
who became the Second Adam,
for the sake of Adam the first man.

When the first man, Adam, fell and sinned, Paradise was lost; but you, O Mary, are worthy to be called the Paradise itself, for because of you Christ, the Second Adam, was born, and Paradise was regained. You are the Paradise that does not point to itself, but looks and speaks of Christ Himself, despite all the honor given to you.

O Paradise in whom God dwelt for nine months; O Paradise that renewed our joy and brought delight to Adam; O Paradise that speaks of Christ; intercede for us before Him who restored Adam and all his children, that we may be lead throughout the way into the Kingdom of God, into the Paradise of Joy. Amen.

_________________
"Pray gently and calmly,
Chant hymns with understanding and rhythm;
Then you will soar like a young eagle
High in the heavens"
+ St. Evagrius the Solitary, On Prayer, 82.

Why do I believe in Christianity??
Answer: "I believe because it is impossible!"
+ Tertullian, On the Flesh of Christ, 5:10.

In Christ,
Bishoy
HCOC Member

+ To Protect and Preserve +

HCOC: Sing it! Live it! Love it!

Questions or comments on the copticheritage.org website? Send me a PM.

Joined: Jun 09, 2003 | Posts: 324
Location: Mississauga, ON

Biboboy

posted on May 14, 2004 - 12:12 AM

Hail to the location,
Of the inseperable union,
Of the natures that came together in one place,
Without mingling.

Your womb, O Virgin, is the location of the mystery of the Incarnation. Your womb, O Virgin, is the location where the Logos of God, who is consubstantial with the Father, assumed human nature, and became consubstantial with us. Your womb, O Virgin, is the location where the Divine and Human natures became one, where God descended from heaven to bring us humans back to Him and be in Him and with Him. Your womb, O Virgin, is the location where God became Man, so that man may become God. Your womb, O Virgin, is the location that united two natures into one inseperable nature, yet without mingling, change, or confusion of the natures themselves.

Your womb, O Virgin, is the place we see ahead of us, the altar, for there, too, the Divine Logos unites with the bread and wine, sanctifying them and changing them to His Holy Body and Blood, which are inseperable from His Divine Nature. As we approach the altar to partake in the communion of the blessed mysteries, we approach you, O Virgin, and ask you to intercede for us before your son, that we may be worthy of pataking of the Holy Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, by which our sins are forgiven.

May fornication and every defiled thought flee from us - for the sake of God who is of the Virgin (The Prayer of Submission to the Father, in the Divine Liturgy).

Let us be pure in heart and mind, so that like the Virgin we may be a place for the indwelling of Christ when we partake of the blessed mysteries - partakers of the Body, partakers of the nature, and partakers in the succession of Christ.

_________________
"Pray gently and calmly,
Chant hymns with understanding and rhythm;
Then you will soar like a young eagle
High in the heavens"
+ St. Evagrius the Solitary, On Prayer, 82.

Why do I believe in Christianity??
Answer: "I believe because it is impossible!"
+ Tertullian, On the Flesh of Christ, 5:10.

In Christ,
Bishoy
HCOC Member

+ To Protect and Preserve +

HCOC: Sing it! Live it! Love it!

Questions or comments on the copticheritage.org website? Send me a PM.

Joined: Jun 09, 2003 | Posts: 324
Location: Mississauga, ON

Biboboy

posted on May 15, 2004 - 05:45 PM

Hail to the bridal chamber,
Decorated in every way,
For the true Bridegroom,
Who united with humanity.

Hail to you, O Virgin, whose pure heart became a bridal chamber in which God entered, whose heart was made into a habitation of God. You, the bridal chamber, are decorated with the most glorious and exquisite materials - with purple and scarlet! - and the Bridegroom whom you loved sits on your lap, giving you the kiss of a child to His beloved and caring mother. Behold the love, behold the divine embrace!

O that his left hand were under my head,
and that his right hand embraced me! (Songs 2:6)

In this icon of love, O Virgin, we see the love of God with the whole of humanity exemplified through you. For after our long search for the beloved Bridegroom, He chose to come to us and hold on to our hands and follow us to the bridal chamber, wherein we become detached from evil, and our mouth delights in the source of true love, the source of light, the source of all beauty!

We see the bridal chamber decorated with a palanquin from the wood of Lebanon, and its posts of silver, its back of gold, its seat of purple; its interior inlaid with love (Songs 3:9). This bridal chamber which our souls are brought to is the heavenly Paradise wherein we dwell with Christ and sit under His shadow with great delight. It is the heavenly wedding banquet, which the King has brought us to.

Draw me after you, let us make haste.
The king has brought me into his chambers.
We will exult and rejoice in you;
we will extol your love more than wine;
rightly do they love you (Songs 1:4).

Through Mary, the daughter of Joachim, we learnt of our true friend, our true beloved Bridegroom, O daughters of Jerusalem!

_________________
"Pray gently and calmly,
Chant hymns with understanding and rhythm;
Then you will soar like a young eagle
High in the heavens"
+ St. Evagrius the Solitary, On Prayer, 82.

Why do I believe in Christianity??
Answer: "I believe because it is impossible!"
+ Tertullian, On the Flesh of Christ, 5:10.

In Christ,
Bishoy
HCOC Member

+ To Protect and Preserve +

HCOC: Sing it! Live it! Love it!

Questions or comments on the copticheritage.org website? Send me a PM.

Joined: Jun 09, 2003 | Posts: 324
Location: Mississauga, ON

Min_Al_Momkin

posted on May 18, 2004 - 02:57 PM

Hail to the soul of human nature
Likened to the bush
Which the fire of His Divinity
Did not burn any of it

The burning bush which Moses saw was a symbol of the Virgin Mother. The fire burned in the midst of the bush, but it was not consumed nor affected by the fire. Likewise, when the Holy Spirit decsended upon the Theotokos, and the Lord was incarnated in her womb, the fire of His Divinty did not affect her humanity nor her purity. For even though she gave birth to the Lord God, she still remained a Virgin, and her virginity remained sealed. The Lord found favor in her among women, and honored her pure body which she had offered as a temple for Him to dwell in.

Truly this is was a miracle beyond the human understanding. Moses himself stood wondering why the bush did not burn. As he approached it, the Lord revealed to Him saying:

"I have seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters; I know their sufferings, and I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey" ( Ex. 3:7-8 )

Likewise, through the Virgin Mary, the Lord Christ came to release humanity from bondage of Satan. He heared the cry of the righteous as they departed, and saw the agony of those whose spirits longed to be with the Lord in Paradise. Indeed, He came to save us from eternal death, and once again reconciled us with the Father, that we may join Him in the "good land", the Heavenly Jersualem.

Intercede for us, O Mother of God, that the Lord may forgive us our many sins, and grant us to see the Heavenly Kingdom which He promised.

_________________
Ragy Sharkawy
Min_Al_Momkin

"O Lord open my lips and my mouth shall show forth Your praise" (Ps. 51:15)

Joined: Dec 14, 2003 | Posts: 43
Location: Mississauga, ON, Canada

Min_Al_Momkin

posted on May 19, 2004 - 03:17 PM

Hail to the handmaid and Mother,
The Virgin and the Heaven,
Who carried in the flesh,
He Who sits upon the Cherubim

She is truly a great example of the creation sumbitting to the Creator. The Theotokos offered herself in body and spirit to the Lord in complete submission. It was because she loved Him so dearly that she sumbitted to His will, and served Him with joy and humblness. She was blessed among women, honored above any in humanity, and highly favored by the Lord. Yet, she did not submit for her glory nor in pride, but served in love and humility, proclaiming to Gabriel:

Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word. ( Luke 1:38 )

She is the Mother of our Lord, and she served Him, caring for Him in His childhood, always by His side, until His death on the Cross. This was her Son, Whom she had born in the flesh. He was her Lord, and she rejoiced in serving Him. Her motherhood was not only evident in her love and service to her Son, but to all of humanity. She served Elizabeth in her pregnancy. She interceded for those at the wedding of Galilee. She took John the Beloved as her son, as commanded by the Lord on the Cross. She is worthy then to be called the Second Eve, because through her, the Lord and Savior came, and saved us from death, granting us eternal life once again. She is the second Eve

"because she was the mother of all living" (Gen. 3:20)

She remained a pure and holy temple for the Lord, and He honored her Virginity. For this, she was worthy to be called a Second Heaven. He Who sits upon the Cherubim saw her purity, and chose her among women, so that He may in the flesh dwell in her womb.

How awesome is the Virgin Mother and her service, for until this day, she serves the Lord, praising His name with the saints and angels, and serving humanity in interceding for them before Her Lord and Son. Intercede for us O Mother of God, that He may fogive us our sins.

_________________
Ragy Sharkawy
Min_Al_Momkin

"O Lord open my lips and my mouth shall show forth Your praise" (Ps. 51:15)

Joined: Dec 14, 2003 | Posts: 43
Location: Mississauga, ON, Canada

Min_Al_Momkin

posted on May 20, 2004 - 02:28 PM

For we rejoice and sing
With the holy angels
And we joyfully proclaim
"Glory to God in the Highest"

Through you O Virgin Mother, the Lord Christ came into the world. He left the glory of His Kingdom to be born in a manger, in the smallest of the cities of Israel. He became Man, and descended to the earth, so that we may once again rise, and live eternally with Him in Heaven. By His Crucifixion, He has once again reconciled us with the Father in Heaven. The heavenly and the earthly are once again united, not in flesh or nature, but in praising the Lord of Hosts, Who sits upon the Cherubim. Once again, through Christ, we are granted to join the hosts of angels in heaven in the service of praising Him.

The angel proclaimed to the shepherds about the Lord's birth saying:

"I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people" (Luke 2:10)

How many times do I refrain from singing about Your great works O Lord? How often then do we offer this sacrifice of praise before our Lord? The angels praised the Lord Christ as He lay in the manger, wrapped in swaddlin cloths. Why then do we not cease the moments of joy in praising our Savior, as His Body and Blood are offered upon the altar?

The Lord has reconciled us with heaven. Let us then join the heavenly hosts of angels in praising and glorifying the Lord of Hosts and King of kings. Let us, the earthly congregation, commune with the heavenly choir in praising the Holy Trinity without ceasing, saying "Glory to God in the Highest".

_________________
Ragy Sharkawy
Min_Al_Momkin

"O Lord open my lips and my mouth shall show forth Your praise" (Ps. 51:15)

Joined: Dec 14, 2003 | Posts: 43
Location: Mississauga, ON, Canada

Min_Al_Momkin

posted on May 21, 2004 - 07:53 PM

And on Earth peace
Goodwill toward man
For He Who is glorified forever
Was pleased with you
Through you O Virgin Mother, the Lord Christ came and dwelt in your womb, that He may once again restore peace between creation and the Creator. "Since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23), it was necessary that Christ reconcile us again with the Father, that we may once again dwell with Him and in His presence eternally. In doing so, Christ became the ultimate sacrificie on our behalf. He was the price for peace.

Surely, this peace is not of the world, for the world itself knows no peace because it does not know God. The Lord proclaimed to us saying

"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you, not as the world gives do I give to you" (Jn 14:27).

True peace is not in this world, nor comes from this world, but comes from above. Indeed, the Holy Spirit is the Comforter. We have peace in knowing we have been sanctified and baptized in the Name of the Lord. We have peace knowing that the Lord watches over us, and hears our cry in distress. We have peace knowing that Christ has died on our behalf, that we may live again. We have peace knowing that the world is temporary, and will perish, but the Kingdom of God is eternal .

Why then do we worry about many things? Why do we loose faith in the Lord at the time of hardhips and distress? Why are we afraid of the world and the things in the world? Where is our peace but in knowing and living with the Lord Himself:

I have said this to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."

Let us then seek peace with the Lord. Let us look to the Virgin Mother, who had peace in her heart, and did not concern herself with the world. Intercede for us O Mother of God, that He may grant us peace, and forgive us our sins.

_________________
Ragy Sharkawy
Min_Al_Momkin

"O Lord open my lips and my mouth shall show forth Your praise" (Ps. 51:15)

Joined: Dec 14, 2003 | Posts: 43
Location: Mississauga, ON, Canada

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