Prayers to Our Holy Mother

We owe special veneration to the Blessed Virgin Mary, since She gave birth to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the Son of God and thus She became the Mother of God.  The Greeks called her Theotokos, and the Ruthenians Bohorodicja,which literally translated means God-Bearer.  The title of “Theotokos” was acknowledged to Mary in 431 A.D.

It is Truly Proper to Glorify You:

It is truly proper to glorify you, who have borne God, the Ever-Blessed and Immaculate, and the Mother of our God.  More honorable than the Cherubim and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, who, a Virgin, gave birth to God the Word; You, truly the Mother of God (Theotokos), we magnify.

We Fly to Thy Patronage

This prayer was composed no later than the third century when Christians suffered persecution and exposure to all kinds of dangers, sufferings and needs, thus creating a proper atmosphere for such a prayer.  It proves, without a doubt, that the Christians from the very beginning believed in Mary’s perpetual virginity.  The Council Fathers of Vatican II remind us: “The Blessed Virgin from ancient times has been venerated under the title of “Theotokos” (the God-Bearer).  In all their perils and needs, the faithful have prayerfully fled to Her protection.  Devotion of the People of God toward Mary increased, especially after the council of Ephesus, according to Her own prophetic words: “All generations shall call me blessed, for the Almighty has done great things for me.” (Lk. 1:48).

We fly to Your patronage, O Virgin Mother of God. Despise not our prayers in our needs, but deliver us from all dangers, since you alone are pure and blessed.

O most glorious Ever-Virgin Mary, the Mother of Christ our God, accept our prayers and present them to Your Son and our God, that for the sake of You, He enlighten and save our souls.

Hail, Virgin Mother of God

In the ancient Marian prayer, known to us as Bohorodice D’ivo, the nucleus consists of the words of Archangel Gabriel to Mary: “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with You.” and those of St. Elizabeth: Blessed are You among women and blessed is the fruit of Your womb”.  For the ending, some words of explanation were added.

Hail, Virgin Mother of God, full of grace, the Lord is with You.  Blessed are You among women and blessed is the fruit of Your womb, for You have borne Christ, the Savior and Deliverer of our souls.