Theotokos
Oh most Holy Theotokos, save us
MARIAM (MARY) OF NAZARETH
This subject has been taken to extreme levels of utter confusion – on the one hand, she has been portrayed as a goddess; the other end of the line exhorts that no significance nor importance should be given to her. BOTH ARE FRIGHTFULLY WRONG!
Unfortunately, many of those entrusted with teaching the faith have forgotten the beauty of proclaiming the truth in such a way that the average person can understand the truths they are expressing. Christ was always critical of those who loved to stand up in front of people in the synagogue and say longwinded prayers so as to win the admiration of the people hearing them pray (Matthew 23:14). It is as if those priests and theologians in their writings are trying to show the average person how much better they are than them – a dangerous trend as it can possibly lead to a sort of pseudo-Gnosticism in the Church where the clergy and theologians are seen as being the only ones with the secret knowledge that can lead to salvation. In fact, this is very much like the situation in the heterodox church of Rome when they insisted that Holy Scripture could not be translated into the vernacular tongue - implying that the clergy were the only ones who had access to the Scriptures and its message of salvation.
THE FAITH is to be understood by ALL according to the capacity of intellect proper to the age of a person. These academics have forgotten that people need to know their faith; although, academia is proper for those surroundings, but it is definitely NOT OK with common people (in the real world so to speak/write). The average person are the ones that tend to support the Church and sadly idolise clergy; which end up getting hurt when expectations crumble. Furthermore, such people are unfortunately kept in ignorance half of the time due to our presumption that they know, and the carelessness of other similar stupidities.
It is shocking to know that our people don’t know much; we are at fault due to the fact that we either can’t be bothered, or we are too busy in getting as much prestige from others according to our ranks. If people have questions, we MUST answer them truthfully and not brew up some story in order that it appears to fit somehow, but we know very well that such clearly does NOT MAKE SENSE! In addition, we have a tendency not to simplify things so everyone can understand; sad to say that many classified theologians frown upon simplifying things….they forget that they once were just as simple as everyone else! After all, our Bishop (Jesus) made a statement about this, but unfortunately after 2000 years and now plus; we still haven’t learnt! (Lk 10: 21-22)
The danger of misconceptions and poor criteria of such important subjects when not explained clearly, simply, and most importantly lacking the follow of LOGIC is frightfully devastating. People, who are trying to be pious and devout, begin to grasp what they can understand from a certain subject and often enough interpret it in their own way. Sadly people do this and the results are as follows: If we don’t know, we make it up. This is ok when we are in the kitchen and add or subtract things according to our tastes, but we aren’t dealing with a recipe or two, we are dealing with the recipe that God used to bring to perfection and enter into our very existence – vesting himself in everything that makes us human and lifting us to the full potential of our existence; eternal communion in Him!
When we outlined extremes from the opening paragraphs of this encyclical, we mentioned Mariam of Nazareth as a Goddess. If this was true, then the incarnation itself (God the Son being born of Mary) would have been a total scam because Christ incarnated himself into the FULLNESS OF HUMANITY. A humanity that is frail, a humanity that has weaknesses, a humanity that has the will to accept or reject, a humanity that thirsts for wholeness, happiness, and truth!
Unfortunately, something went wrong along the way. The Levitical (Old Testament rule book) inferiority complex known as SIN infiltrated the Church like the bubonic and black death plagues of the dark ages and totally derailed its thinking!!!! Monasteries began to hymn it, churches began to exhort it, people became effected by it, and depression was fuelled by it! All this unholy doctrine/teaching has done is first and foremost mascaraed itself with the light of truth and purity which has and is causing repression of the senses; time bombs that go off and result in scandals which the institution hides and people take their own life as a result! Instead of proclaiming the Lord who frees us from the shackles of all that impedes us and from our own stupidity which brings unwanted things in our lives, they continue to preach about the One who is displeased with us, hates us when we make mistakes, and will ultimately punish us even more; worse than afflictions rendered in life, especially when tragedy occurs in its vastness that in essence are/is a living hell!!!
On the 218th page of the 4th chapter entitled “The Economy of Salvation” of his book “The Orthodox Church” one of the leading English professors read in Theology: John Anthony Mc Guckin states: “As opposed to Augustinian thought on Original Sin and inherited guilt and mortal stain running through generations of man……… Orthodoxy objects ……for such derails our understanding in the process of redemption….hence Mary is given the title of AKRANTOS – pure/untouched by man! (But, having been born like the rest of us!)
Thus in a humanity that lives in the midst, and is totally exposed to chaos, disorder, greed, hate, violence, struggles, disaster and death, He who spoke in the beginning and brought all things into existence desired to enter into the existence of what the power through his name had created. He who is all holy and spotless/untainted/immaculate, desired to be born of her who was humble from the beginning and tender of heart which was and is in line with the heart of God who is merciful/generous/kind and forgiving!
On the 140th page of the seventh chapter entitled “The Economy of the Son” of his book “The mystical Theology of the Eastern Church” the renowned Russian scholar Vladimir Lossky writes: “Mary lent her human nature so that the mystery of incarnation could happen!” “Immaculate Conception” We do not separate Mary from the race of Adam – stock of Eve……the Incarnation was an invitation of instruction by God and her (Mary’s) will that allowed God to take her for His mother in borrowing flesh from her to which she greatly wished to lend him! He voluntarily became incarnate, and in doing so wished that his mother should bear him freely and with full consent!”
Many who profess to follow Christ (profess the incarnation) but are not part of his APSOTOLIC CHURCH (live in and partake of the fullness of his body) DO NOT CONCENT! These firmly do not acknowledge Mariam as THEOTOKOS (Mother of God) but prefer the Nestorian heresy/error of KRISTOTOKOS (Mother of Jesus the SON) Hence, she is only the carrier, she is just a mere woman who was faithful to God, but scripturally is out of the picture and must stay OUT OF OUR WAY to God!
Furthermore, such people have frightfully misunderstood the scriptures, especially when it comes to the passage in the Gospel of the Apostle Luke in the eleventh chapter and twenty seventh verse! Thus, the following comments in the conception of their minds begins as follows: “She is just a woman! She has served her duty in bringing/carrying Him into the world! She has no power! We don’t pray to her! We refuse to render acknowledgement to her! She gets in the way!
Thus, in the above quotation from the Apostle Luke’s Gospel reads; while Jesus was teaching the people, a woman in the crowed exclaimed: “Blessed is the womb that bore you and the breasts that nursed you!” At that Jesus exhorts: “Blessed rather are those who hear the Word of God and obey!” With this in mind and returning to the above complaints/laments, these people who profess Christ, but are NOT part of His CHURCH, feel justified via their interpretations of the above passage. Hence, as I have only too often heard, such affirm: “You should not be idolising Mary because Christ himself prohibits any form of admiration for her with such a rebuttal!”
The Fathers of the Church who wrote, lived, and exhorted Holy Scripture which is constantly echoed within the Divine Services of the Church teach us Theology! Thus, such people may desire to follow Christ, but have pulled away (non- Apostolic believers) via wilful ignorance and confusion of theological error due to their interpretations that are ill founded (outside of the Church) The Fathers of the Church would remind these and others who claim to have messages from on high as if they have God’s direct mobile or even can dial an angel, that the Apostle Peter clearly states in his second epistle (2Pet 1: 20-21) – “No Prophecy of Scripture is by any means to be interpreted according to one’s own thoughts….for these things are not of man but pertain to the Holy Spirit!” In Addition, the Apostle Paul firmly exhorts in his epistle to the church of Galatia that: “If an angel were to proclaim a different gospel to you than the one we proclaimed onto you, let that one be accursed!”
Hence, the Holy Fathers who were truly gilded by the Holy Spirit to exhort the faithful, especially in reaching out to those mentioned above and they who are truly poor in spirit – finding veneration for She who robed the Lord in flesh extremely difficult to render, to these they firmly but gently exhort: “Little ones, do not loose heart, for this woman of no significance in your minds is the very ladder by which Emmanuel stooped down! Blessed is She who at the voice of the Archangel Gabriel HEARD the Word of God and KEPT it in her womb! Blessed is She who was ever OBEDIENT to her Son, which at the wedding feast INSTRUCTED the servants to DO WHATEVER HE COMMANDS YOU! Blessed IS this Woman, who by her humility hosted the WORD in her womb and from that moment was filled with the GRACE of the HOLY SPIRIT! She that IS now above all women and all Order of Spirits is the Temple of the King of Creation (Father Pantocrator), being most pleased to be enthroned in the ARK of her WOMB!”
In the Old Covenant/Testament, the presence of God dwelt in the Ark via three important items. (a) The tablets of the Law/ten Commandments – God’s Word! (b) The Jar of Manna/food of providence – Bread of Angels! (c) The Pastoral Staff of Aaron/high priest – Bishop of the old order! Hence, in the Womb of the Virgin Mother: (a) The Word of God becomes personified – Jesus! (b) He is the Bread come down from heaven – Eucharist! (c) He is Bishop of His Church – new order!
On the 33rd page of the second chapter entitled “The Eucharist” of his book “For the Life of the World” the renowned Russian scholar Father Alexander Schmemann writes: In the Orthodox perspective, the Liturgy of the Word is as sacramental as the sacrament is ‘’evangelical!’’ The sacrament is a manifestation of the word, and unless the false dichotomy (division) between Word and Sacrament is overcome, the true meaning of both Word and Sacrament, and especially the true meaning of Christian “Sacramentalism” cannot be grasped in all their wonderful implications. The proclamation of the Word is a sacramental act par excellence (outstanding above others) because it is a transforming act for it transforms the human words of the Gospel into the Word of God and the manifestation of the Kingdom. Therefore, it transforms the one who hears the Word into a receptacle of the Word and a temple of the Spirit.
Furthermore, at the encounter between Mariam and Gabriel, that which in Greek is called EVANGELISMOS – proclamation of the Gospel/Word of God and its reception, the first words addressed to Mariam are “Peace be upon you!” These are the very words that the Lord first commanded his apostles to invoke when he sent them out two by two. These same words were imparted to them during the mystical supper and later on when he appeared in their midst after the resurrection.
There were three rightfully called Annunciations in Holy Scripture, but only ONE Evangelismos! The first occurred in the Old Testament in the Book of Judges (Ju 13:13) where Hazelelponi, the wife of Manoah who was one of the Judges of Israel, was barren. The Lord who is Mercy spoke to Hazeleponi via his angel and exhorted that she will conceive and bare a son (Sampson) who is to be a Nazarite (monastic) and being consecrated to God from birth, he will deliver Israel from the Philistines.
Then there was Elkanah a priest of the temple and his wife Hannah who was also barren (Sam1: 1-19) Therefore, at the vigil of the temple hours of prayer, she too was in deep prayer when she disclosed her anguish to the High Priest (Bishop) of that time ELI who pronounced the Lord’s mercy upon her that she would conceive and bare a son who also will be a Nazarite. Thus, the Lord blessed the couple and they brought forth a son; Samuel, who later on the Lord called to his service in becoming the voice of conscience amongst his (the Lord’s) people in Babylon!
Also too, as an abridgment from the Old to the New Testament, Zacharias the priest along with his wife Elizabeth were without child. (Lk 1: 5-25) Thus, the angel Gabriel appeared to Zacharias while he was offering incense during the vigil prayers - testifying to the Lord’s mercy who hears the prayers of his faithful. The angel exhorted that the child will be brought up in the linage of the Nazarites and that his name will be John (gift of God) the one who will be like Elijah in proclaiming the Lord’s decrees and preparing hearts to embrace him!
-Joachim/Anna/Mariam…..unlike many events in the Bible that are considered biography, the Church has always held one book in particular with favourable regard; the protoevangelium/gospel of James. Although there are 4 canonical (accepted) gospels, this honoured source drew on historical accounts, but did not make it into the canon of the gospels’ due to some irregularities (stuff of legend) however inspiring. It is undoubtedly memories of a son (James, brother of Jesus) on the early years and some background information. Thus, the thought at the time was inconclusive causing the Church to object by keeping this account outside of the canon of scripture!
Thus, oral tradition (that which was spoken and passed down) plays an important role in the Church because not everything was recorded, not everything is Scriptural as the Apostle John exhorts at the end of his Gospel (Jn 21:25) where he states (in which the correct translation should read): “There are other numerous accounts which took place within the ministry of Jesus WHICH HAVE NOT BEEN RECORED, if every one of these were to be written down in detail; all the libraries of the world could not contain them!”
WHICH HAVE NOT BEEN RECORDED! This statement bares true canonical sufficiency to exhort that things are not clear cut as opposed to the scholastic west which tried to make/rather categorise everything which in itself leads to grave errors of faith. Furthermore, there is definitely no notion in the APOSTOLIC CHURCH of SOLA SCRIPTURA (only that which is stated in scripture can be credible) as the Protestants/Lutherans affirm!!! Thus, even that which is not seen as official scripture (apocryphal writings) bare truths and indeed set in stone historical accounts to better equip us in understanding the missing years so to speak in order to make sense of that which is or rather has been accepted.
In his forty second homily devoted to the Nativity of the Mother of God (Homilies of St Gregory Palamas p 335) the canonical theologian and then abbot of Esphigmenou monastery Gregory Palamas (1229-1359AD) who briefly touches on the above text (Gospel of James) referring to Anna’s lament to God in the garden due to the pain of been unable to conceive exhorts:
“Joachim and Anna lived blamelessly before God, but seemed to the Israelites to be at fault according to the law because they remained childless. Since there was not yet any hope of immortality, the continuance of the race was seen as an absolute necessity. Now that this virgin born today has bestowed eternity upon us by baring a child in virginity, having children to succeed us is no longer necessary, but in those days having many children was regarded as superior to virtue, and childlessness was such a great evil, that these just people were rebuked for their lack of children, rather than praised for their virtue.”
In the monastery of Karyes on Mt Athos (Monastic peninsula in Greece) the archangel Gabriel revealed the second part of his greeting (Ave Maria) first addressed to the Virgin via writing on the wall just like the Lord wrote on the wall of the hall of the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar (605-562 BC), This time there was no need for the prophet Daniel to interpret its meaning which back then was of destruction, but now affirming the edification of the Church and praise for the New Ark of the Covenant (Mariam) All now could clearly read for themselves that the hall of the king is indeed the Theotokos and the Church praises her particularly in the Divine liturgy after the Holy Spirit is called down to transform the gifts of bread and wine into the body and blood of our Lord. (AXION ESTI) “You are worthy to be blessed O Theotokos, ever blessed and all pure Mother of our God. More honourable than the Cherubim, and all glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim: in virginity you gave birth to God the Word: true Theotokos, we magnify you!”
In addition, on pages 86-87 of the second chapter entitled “The Eucharist” of his book “For the Life of the World” the renowned Russian scholar Father Alexander Schmemann writes: The Orthodox Church rejects the dogma of the Immaculate Conception precisely because it makes Mary a miraculous “Geek” in this long and patient growth of love and expectation, of this “hunger for the living God” which fills the Old Testament. She is the gift of the world to God, as is so beautifully stated in a hymn of the Nativity of Christ: “Each of thy creatures brings thanksgiving onto thee: the angels offer the sun, the heavens its star, the wise men their gifts, the shepherds their marvelling, and we (humanity) – the Virgin Mother!” And yet it is God alone who fulfils and crowns this obedience, acceptance, and love “(Lk 1:35-37)” The Holy Spirit shall come upon you and the power of the Highest shall overshadow you. For with God nothing shall be impossible --- He alone reveals as Virgin the One who brought to him the totality of human love!
When God gave his law to Moses, he firmly commanded us to HONOR THY FATHER AND THY MOTHER! In his humanity, the Lord honoured the Father’s will for he (Jesus) is the mercy from on high and the ONLY sacrifice of praise! Thus, he too honoured his Mother especially in her request (water to wine) at the wedding in Cana. If we are truly his body (the Church and he is our head, well then it is our duty to follow his precepts and honour his mother who is clearly our mother and thus in her nativity hymn (Kontakion) we as his flock sing: “By your Nativity o pure Virgin, Joachim and Anna are freed from bareness: Adam and Eve from the corruption of death. And we your people are freed from the guilt of sin. Therefore we joyfully celebrate and proclaim: the barren woman gives birth to the Theotokos the nourisher of our life!”
Therefore, it was for this purpose that she needed to die like the rest of humanity (Dormition of the Mother of God) and give testimony that we shall rise again in our bodies and behold the glory of God as exhorted in the Book of the Prophet Job (Jb19:26) She did not vanish like a puff of smoke in thin air, nor did her body turn to dust like many from that era, but like the body of our Lord which laid in the tomb, as recorded in the gospel of James: “When Thomas who arrived three days after the others came to venerate the body of the Blessed Mother, they unsealed the sepulchre to find that the burial sheets were neatly folded and tucked away; the body had gone for it was no longer lying in its place of rest”………because GRACE which IS ETERNAL dwelt in her womb and SHE from that moment became MOTHER OF THE LORD WHO IS GRACE PERSONIFIED! Hence, like all mysteries/sacraments of the Church, they LAST forever and can’t be cancelled! We may not commit fully to the baptism we have received, but nothing can remove the fact that God embraced us through it. Thus, She (Mariam) was raised through, by, with, and in GRACE!
In Conclusion, on page 244 of the seventh chapter entitled “Pentecost and the time after Pentecost” of his book “The Year of Grace of the Lord” featuring the Dormition of the Mother of God, the renowned French monastic Father Lev Gillet writes:
“The Dormition is not only the feast of Mary, but of all human nature. For, in Mary, human nature reached its goal……..Thus, associated with and subordinate to the cycle of Jesus’s life, the cycle of Mary’s life manifests the destiny and development of a human nature which is entirely faithful to God. It is the human race which is carried up and received into heaven with her.”
Neither the tomb, nor death could hold the Theotokos, who is constant in prayer; thus we firmly hope in her intercessions. She became the Mother of Life and was translated to life by the One who dwelt in her virginal womb. Kontakion hymn of the Dormition.
