Psalm 131:8 Advance, O Lord to Your resting place, You and the Ark of Your majesty
Hirmos for the Annunciation of the Theotokos
O Earth, proclaim the glad tidings of a great joy, and You, Heavens, sing a hymn of praise to the glory of God! No profane hand may touch the Living Ark of God, but the lips of the faithful will never cease to sing Your praise, repeating with joy the Angel's words: "Hail, O Full of Grace, the Lord is with You!"
Scripture has rightly mentioned that she was espoused, as well as a a virgin, a virgin that she might appear free from all connection to man; espoused, espoused that she might not be branded with disgrace of sullied virginity, whose swelling womb seemed to bear evident marks of her corruption. But the Lord had rather that men should cast a doubt upon His birth than upon His mother’s purity. He knew how tender is virgin’s modesty, and how easily assailed this reputation of her chastity nor did He think the credit of His birth was to be built-up by His mother’s wrongs, It follows therefore that the holy Mary’s virginity was of as …More
Psaume 131, 8 : « Avance, Seigneur, vers votre lieu de repos, vous et l’Arche de votre majesté. »
Hirmos pour l'Annonciation de la Théotokos
Ô Terre, proclame la bonne nouvelle d'une grande joie, et toi Ciel, chante un hymne de louange à la gloire de Dieu!
Aucune main profane ne peut toucher l'Arche vivante de Dieu, mais les lèvres des fidèles ne cesseront jamais de chanter Vos louanges, répétant avec joie les paroles de l'Ange : « Je Vous salue, pleine de grâce, le Seigneur est avec Vous ! »
« Mais cela a encore plus déconcerté le prince de ce monde, car la malice des démons déjoue rapidement même les choses cachées, tandis que ceux qui se livrent aux vanités du monde ne peuvent connaître les choses de Dieu. »
Saint Ambroise
"But still more has it baffled the prince of this world, for the malice of devils soon detects even hidden things, while they who are occupied in worldly vanities, cannot know the things of God."
St. Ambrose
"But the Lord had rather that men should cast a doubt upon His birth than upon His mother’s purity."