Place us under the protection of your veil Theotokos Like all those caves, grottos, and underground churches Which heard all the prayers...

Oh, how the Apostles must have cried! When she, whose soul magnified the Lord, tasted death. Oh, how the Apostles must have been stunned! When Thomas, my dear Thomas, begged to behold Her face once more. Instead of her beauty and Without her loving countenance, Another tomb was found empty. Shock took over and doubt sunk in ...hard and fast... But she, who was without sin, Yet, still in need of Salvation, Kept in constant prayer, For those faithful servants who Served her Son

Do not despise our feeble petitions In times of trouble. Rescue us from the curses that convulse The wretched lips of our enemies. Born into a world of sin, We struggle to maintain faith within. Teach us to partake of the Mysteries, Giving our all to God. Joachim and Anna Brought you into the Temple They presented you to the Lord, Who entered your womb. Brought up in piety Protected from vanity, You became the Mother of God And Mother to all. Within thy love and compassion, W

When Your Mother took me By the arm and Stared into my eyes, I could not see. When Your Mother Walked with me and Talked with me, I could not hear. When Your Mother Stopped with me and Turned me toward You I could not know. Then Your light Shined on me and My heart was filled With an energy not known to man. Then Your warmth Filled me with ecstasy and Showed me the truth Of a silence not made by man. Felicitous delight Euphoric cheer Enraptured love Blessed radiance, Nothing

Why do I take the man-made paths Twisted and turning With fits and stops along the way? Overgrown with brambles Created by a mind Built by its own importance Fleshed by a heart Stirred by the demons lurking beneath. Intercede for me all you saints! Show me, Most Holy Mother! The way back to the path Your Son spoke into existence Trod by His own feet Washed by His own blood Resurrected by His own Ascension! Illumined by the Holy Spirit! This is the path of deification Born of

It is getting late and My head hangs low. It is darker now and My tears begin to flow. It is desperate all round so My hands grasp Because they know. The divine language of love, Played on a rope Made of silence. With humility and love, I implore you. Give me shelter, So I may pray through the nights. "O Mistress, Empress and Lady, Defend all who are in danger and misfortune Or weak from many sins, And who stand before your holy Icon Praying with tears, humility, repentance,

With head bowed, Back bent, and tired feet, I crawl to you on hands and knees. With eyes swollen, Parched mouth, and Prayer rope in hand, I whisper the words, One more time. Your enemies are boundless O Christ, Yet, you offer An inexhaustible cup that Never runs dry? Forgive me, a sinner. You gave yourself Mary Most Holy, As the birth giver of God. And now you provide A refuge to me? "Rejoice, for the angelic powers and the human race rejoice because of you! Rejoice, for your

Mary, Most Holy, and Mother of my God. My model, My refuge, and My love. I seek, and With humility, I ask To approach your Life-Giving Spring? With all my heart, I pray... Revive, Restore, and Renew me. "O Lady graced by God, you reward me by letting gush forth, beyond reason, the ever-flowing waters of your grace from your perpetual Spring. I entreat you, who bore the Logos, in a manner beyond comprehension, to refresh me in your grace that I may cry out, 'Hail redemptive wa

Open your eyes wide to the coming of the Lord! This message is given to us repeatedly as the Church approaches The Feast of the Meeting...

"Today the Virgin gives birth to the Transcendent One, And the earth offers a cave to the Unapproachable One! Angels with shepherds glorify Him! The wise men journey with a star! Since for our sake the Eternal God was born as a Little Child!" - Kontakion (thematic hymn) from the Nativity Service