THEOTOKOS

“Hail to You!”

ST. CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA  ·  HOMILY 11

Preached in the days of the Council of Ephesus, when the Church confessed the Virgin Mary as Theotokos — the Mother of God. Notice how every praise of the Mother leads straight to her Son. Read one each day of the fast, together with the verse beside it.

• Hail to you, O Mary Theotokos, the reason why the prophets glorify God, and the shepherds sing with the angels.“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.”LUKE 2:14
• Hail to you, O Mary Theotokos, the reason why the ineffable grace of God came forth.“The grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.”TITUS 2:11
• Hail to you, O Mary Theotokos, the reason why the True Light, our Lord Jesus Christ, came forth.“I am the light of the world.”JOHN 8:12
• Hail to you, O Mary Theotokos, through whom the Light has shone upon those who sat in darkness and in the shadow of death.“The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light.”MATTHEW 4:16  ·  ISAIAH 9:2  ·  LUKE 1:79
• Hail to you, O Mary Theotokos, through whom came the True Light that enlightens every man.“That was the true Light, which lights every man that comes into the world.”JOHN 1:9
• Hail to you, O Mary Theotokos, the reason why it is proclaimed in the Gospels.“Blessed is He that comes in the name of the Lord.”MATTHEW 21:9
• Hail to you, O Mary, the indestructible temple that the prophet David proclaims.“Holy is Your temple, wonderful in righteousness.”PSALM 65:4–5
• Hail to you, O Mary the Theotokos, the Virgin-Mother, the Light-Bearer, the incorrupt vessel.
• Hail to you, O Mary Theotokos, the reason why the angels take part in the chorus and the archangels send up most glorious hymns.
• Hail to you, O Mary Theotokos, the reason why the Magi adored Him beneath the illustrious star that guided them.
• Hail to you, O Mary Theotokos, the reason why the honor of the twelve Apostles was chosen.
• Hail to you, O Mary Theotokos, the reason why John, still in his mother’s womb, leapt and adored the lamp of the never-ending light.
• Hail to you, O Mary Theotokos, the reason why the baptism of the Jordan and its awe-inspiring holiness shone forth.
• Hail to you, O Mary Theotokos, through whom John and the Jordan are sanctified, and the devil is cast out.
• Hail to you, O Mary Theotokos, through whom the ever-faithful souls receive salvation.
• Hail to you, O Mary, for the King entered into your city and came forth as He willed, and your gate remained shut.
• Hail to you, O Mary, the most precious creature in the whole world.
• Hail to you, O Mary, the incorrupt dove; Hail to you, O Mary, the treasure of the world.
• Hail to you, O Mary, the inextinguishable lamp, for out of you was born the Sun of Righteousness.
• Hail to you, O Mary, the temple in which God is received and in which what is holy is accepted.
• Hail to you, O Mary Theotokos, because of you the Orthodox churches have been established in the cities, villages, and islands.
• Hail to you, O Mary Theotokos, because through you the Conqueror of death and the Destroyer of Hades has come forth.
• Hail to you, O Mary Theotokos, through whom the Maker of the first creation has come and repaired the transgression of our first parents.
• Hail to you, O Mary Theotokos, through whom He Who is Captain of the Heavenly Kingdom has come to us.

Acclamations from St. Cyril of Alexandria, Homily 11 (PG 77:1030), adapted for our families from Sayings of the Fathers on the Holy Theotokos (Treasures of the Fathers of the Church), pp. 72–74. Scripture quotations are from the King James Version. Families are encouraged to read the full homily in the book itself.