Tuesday, May 5, 2020

Why Mariology Matters: The Dormition Homilies


The following translations of homilies dealing with the Dormition (and often, the assumption) of Mary comes from:

On the Dormition of Mary: Early Patristic Homilies (trans. Brian E. Daley; Crestwood, N.Y.: St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press, 1998)

Note how the following excerpts, yet again, shows why Mariology matters. Here, we read of authors, in the late patristic era (“early patristic homilies” is a misnomer; John Damascene’s years, for e.g., was 676-749), affirming Mary as a mediator who can bring about the forgiveness of sins, propitiate the wrath of God, salvation would never be a reality had it not been for Mary, and that it is impossible to praise Mary enough, among other teachings:

. . .we shall offer to that spotless Lady, Mary Mother of God, thanks second only to God, and the praise that befits her, and we shall show ourselves worthy of her gifts by our good works. (John, Archbishop of Thessalonica, The Dormition of Our Lady, the Mother of God and Ever-Virgin Mary, 2 [p. 49])

Be gracious towards us, O Virgin, vessel of God and bearer of life; forgive us as we dare to penetrate the unknown, as we search the hidden mysteries of your life . . .(St. Andrew of Crete, On the Dormition of Our Most Holy Lady, The Mother of God, 5 [p. 122])

For if you had not gone before us, no one would ever become perfectly spiritual (πνυματικος), no one would worship God in the Spirit (Jn 4:24). No one is filled with the knowledge of God except through you, all-holy One; no one is saved but through you, Mother of God; no one is free of danger but through you, Virgin Moher; no one is redeemed but through you, Mother of God; no one ever receives mercy gratuitously except through you, who have received God. Who fights on behalf of sinners as much as you do? Who pleads on behalf of those who need correction, and takes their part, as much as you do? For every power that might come to our aid, fearing that the fig-tree of the parable (LK 13:6ff) might in our case be cut down, hesitated to intercede for us with God, lest when sentence is passed on us for not bearing the promised fruit, his plea might appear to have been spurned. But you, whose power before God is that of a mother, win superabundant forgiveness for those whose sins exceed all bounds. For it is impossible you should be ignored, since God obeys you as his true and immaculate Mother in every way, always, and in all respects. So anyone who is in trouble rightly runs to you for refuge; anyone who is weak clings to you; anyone under attack takes you as his shield against the enemy. You put an end to “anger and wrath and tribulation, and to assaults y the evil angels” (Ps 77:49 [LXX]). You turn away from us [God’s] just threat and his verdict of a painful condemnation, because you love so greatly the people called by the name of your Son. That is why your Christian people, rightly recognizing its own situation, confidently puts into your hands the office of imploring God on its behalf. It unhesitatingly and boldly implores you, all-holy one, because of its past experience of the abundant blessings you have bestowed on us, and it constantly belabors you with petitions. (Germanus of Constantinople, On the Most Venerable Dormition of the Holy Mother of God, 8 [pp. 160-1])

No human being can worthily praise the holy passing of the Mother of God—not if he had ten thousand tongues and as many mouthers! Even if all the tongues of the world’s scattered inhabitants came together, they could not approach a praise that was fitting. It simply lies beyond the realm of oratory. (John Damascene, On the Holy and Glorious Dormition and Transformation of Our Lady Mary, mother of God and Ever-Virgin, Homily II, 1 [p. 203])

All those, Mother of God, who would acclaim you,
O living, undying spirit of life,
You strengthen charismatically:
Give them the power to celebrate,
Crowning their minds with glory by
The holly touch of your memory.

Descended from mortals like your brethren,
You showed us an exodus from death,
A pathway supernatural;
Mother of Christ, the source of life,
You have now crossed death’s barrier
To life divine, in reality. (John Damascene, Canon or the Dormition of the Mother of God, 3 [p. 241])

Such (blasphemous, to be frank) teachings show us why Mariology is not a minor issue, but is a true “dividing line” between Latter-day Saints and Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholics (and also overwhelming evidence that the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches teach error).

On the topic of the Dormition and assumption of Mary, the single best study of these issues is that of:


Be also to check out my book on Mariology (available for free in PDF format):


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