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Blessed is God

Blessed is God Who cares for the salvation of men and their souls.

~ St. Mary of Egypt

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Today is the Saturday of the Akathist to the Theotokos.

Revealing to you the pre-eternal counsel, O Maiden,
Gabriel stood before you and offered homage, exclaiming:
“Rejoice, earth that has not been sown;
Rejoice, burning bush that remains unconsumed;
Rejoice, depth hard to comprehend;
Rejoice, bridge leading to heaven;
Rejoice, ladder raised aloft which Jacob beheld;
Rejoice, divine jar of manna;
Rejoice, deliverance from the curse;
Rejoice, restoration of Adam, the Lord is with you.”

“You appear to me in human form,“
said the uncorrupt Maiden to the Chief Commander,
“yet how is it that you utter words beyond human measure?
For you said God will be with me and will dwell in my womb;
How, tell me, shall I be a spacious room and holy place
for Him who rides upon the Cherubim?
Do not allure me with trickery;
for I have not known pleasure,
I have not entered into marriage;
how then shall I bear a Child?”

Then the bodiless Angel said:
“When God so wills the order of nature is overcome,
and things are accomplished which surpass human measure.
Believe my words, which are true,
O all-holy and immaculate Lady.”
And she cried aloud:
“Let it be to me now, according to your word,
and I will bear Him Who is without flesh,
Who has borrowed flesh from me,
that through this mingling He may raise man up to his former dignity,
as He alone has the power to do.”

Tone 2     (Theotokion by Theophanes)

Today is revealed the eternal mystery!
The Son of God becomes the Son of Man.
By accepting the lowest, He grants me the highest.
Of old, Adam was deceived: He sought to become God,
but he did not receive his desire.
Now God becomes Man, that He may make Adam God!
Let creation rejoice! Let nature exult!
For the Archangel stands in fear before the Virgin,
and saying: “Rejoice,” he brings her the greeting
by which our sorrow is healed.
O Lord, in Your compassion You became a man. 
Glory to You!

~ Stikhera and Theotokion for today

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What’s an akathist? Why is the Akathist to the Theotokos so special? Read more — and link to many akathists available online — at OrthodoxWiki.

Listen to a recording by Eikona.