The following excerpts come from:
The Demonstrations of Aphrahat, the Persian Sage (trans.
Adam Lehto; Gorgias Eastern Christian Studies 27; Piscataway, N.J.: Gorgias
Press, 2010)
3.14
The prayer of Mary, also, was
presented before God, and Gabriel announced to her the birth of Christ. For he
said to her, "You have found favour before God." And how did
Mary find favour, if not by her fasting and prayer? For it was Gabriel who was receiving
pure prayers and presenting them before God. And it was Michael who was the
prince of the Israelites. It was Michael about whom God spoke to Moses: "Behold,
my angel will go before you and will eliminate from before you the Amorites of
the land." (p. 123)
9.5
These are the ones who love
humility: those whose peace with every person increases. The humble are
children of the Most High and brothers of Christ, who, having been proclaimed
for the sake of peace, came to us. On account of her humility, Mary received
him, for when Gabriel brought the news to the blessed Mary he spoke as follows
to her: "peace be to you, blessed among women." Gabriel had
taken peace and brought the blessed fruit, and the beloved child was conceived
within Mary. She glorified and magnified the Lord: "He has delighted in
the humility of his servant, but has taken no pleasure in those who are proud
and important. The Most High lifts up all those who are humble." See,
my friend, that peace runs to the humble. (p. 242)
