Today is the feast of the dedication of the Basilica of St Mary Major on the Esquiline Hill in Rome, the oldest church in the West dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It was built soon after the Council of Ephesus which proclaimed the status of the Virgin at Theotokos in 431
Here is the text of the second reading appointed for today from the Office of Readings in the Divine Office. It is from a homily delivered at the Council of Ephesus by Saint Cyril of Alexandria. I particularly like the way he links and combines, and explores, the image of Our Lady as a model, as a type, of the Church and of the church building itself.
| In praise of Mary, Mother of God |
|---|
I
see here a joyful company of Christian men met together in ready
response to the call of Mary, the holy and ever-virgin Mother of God.
The great grief that weighed upon me is changed into joy by your
presence, venerable Fathers. Now the beautiful saying of David the
psalmist: How good and pleasant it is for brothers to live together in
unity has come true for us.
Therefore, holy and incomprehensible Trinity, we
salute you at whose summons we have come together to this church of
Mary, the Mother of God.
Mary, Mother of God, we salute you. Precious vessel,
worthy of the whole world’s reverence, you are an ever-shining light,
the crown of virginity, the symbol of orthodoxy, an indestructible
temple, the place that held him whom no place can contain, mother and
virgin. Because of you the holy gospels could say: Blessed is he who
comes in the name of the Lord.
We salute you, for in your holy womb was confined him
who is beyond all limitation. Because of you the holy Trinity is
glorified and adored; the cross is called precious and is venerated
throughout the world; the heavens exult; the angels and archangels make
merry; demons are put to flight; the devil, that tempter, is thrust down
from heaven; the fallen race of man is taken up on high; all creatures
possessed by the madness of idolatry have attained knowledge of the
truth; believers receive holy baptism; the oil of gladness is poured
out; the Church is established throughout the world; pagans are brought
to repentance.
What more is there to say? Because of you the light of
the only-begotten Son of God has shone upon those who sat in darkness
and in the shadow of death; prophets pronounced the word of God; the
apostles preached salvation to the Gentiles; the dead are raised to
life, and kings rule by the power of the holy Trinity.
Who can put Mary’s high honour into words? She is both
mother and virgin. I am overwhelmed by the wonder of this miracle. Of
course no one could be prevented from living in the house he had built
for himself, yet who would invite mockery by asking his own servant to
become his mother?
Behold then the joy of the whole universe. Let the
union of God and man in the Son of the Virgin Mary fill us with awe and
adoration. Let us fear and worship the undivided Trinity as we sing the
praise of the ever-virgin Mary, the holy temple of God, and of God
himself, her Son and spotless Bridegroom. To him be glory for ever and
ever. Amen.
Text version from Universalis
The Coronation of the Virgin
Mosaic in the apse of Sta Maria Maggiore, by Jacopo Torriti, completed in 1296
Image:Wikipedia
Image:Wikipedia
