Why are we Mary"s servants?

[Not David]

I usually see that on prayers so I'm curious about the meaning of that.

 

[FireDragon76]

Isn't that a Catholic thing?

 

[Not David]

Isn't that a Catholic thing?

Here is a prayer:
AN ORTHODOX PRAYER
TO THE THEOTOKOS
IN TIMES OF NEED
Holy Theotokos,
You are the joy of all who are sad,
The defender of the oppressed,
The nourishment of the wretched,
The consolation of strangers,
The staff of the blind,
The visitation of the sick,
The shelter and relief of the defeated,
The help of orphans;
Wherefore, O Holy Mother of the Most High,
O All Holy One,
We implore you,
Swiftly come to the deliverance of your servants
and devotees,
Amin.

 

[Ttalkkugjil]

I usually see that on prayers so I'm curious about the meaning of that.

Is it Mary you should pray to or is it rather Jesus?

 

[FireDragon76]

Oh, I forgot about that sort of stuff. You should ask that on St. Justin Martyr's Corner.

 

[FireDragon76]

Is it Mary you should pray to or is it rather Jesus?

Well, considering this is St. Basil's Corner, our opinion on the matter doesn't matter.

 

[Ttalkkugjil]

Well, considering this is St. Basil's Corner, our opinion on the matter doesn't matter.

Did I give opinion? Did I not rather simply ask a question?

 

[Not David]

Oh, I forgot about that sort of stuff. You should ask that on St. Justin Martyr's Corner.

I usually do but I was feeling like wanting a less controversial approach

 

[Not David]

Is it Mary you should pray to or is it rather Jesus?

I pray to Jesus and I ask Mary for her intercession like anyone else.

 

[All4Christ]

I’ll wait for someone else to respond as I struggle with this as well.

That said, that particular prayer isn’t in my daily prayer rule - because I have trouble understanding it in a proper context. I think some of it is also poetic. The higher mariology prayers are more difficult for me.

My husband keeps telling me I should listen to a talk from Fr Thomas Hopko “On Intercessory Prayer”. Perhaps it would be good for you as well

 

[FireDragon76]

Did I give opinion? Did I not rather simply ask a question?

There was the implication that praying to Mary was problematic. I don't know of any Orthodox Christian that would agree with that sentiment.

 

[Ttalkkugjil]

I pray to Jesus and I ask Mary for her intercession like anyone else.

"Like anyone else?" Do you imagine that we all ask Mary for her intercession? Why do you ask Mary for that? Doesn't the Bible say that Jesus is our one Advocate?

 

[All4Christ]

https://www.ancientfaith.com/podcasts/hopko/intercessory_prayer

 

[Ttalkkugjil]

There was the implication that praying to Mary was problematic. I don't know of any Orthodox Christian that would agree with that sentiment.

Was there an implication made? Do I think that none was?

 

[All4Christ]

"Like anyone else?" Do you imagine that we all ask Mary for her intercession? Why do you ask Mary for that? Doesn't the Bible say that Jesus is our one Advocate?

There is one mediator - Jesus Christ. Scripture says that Jesus is our Advocate - but it says our one mediator is Christ.

Asking Mary to intercede for us (pray) is in our eyes akin to asking someone here to intercede or pray for us. I think that’s what David meant by “anyone else”.

 

[All4Christ]

Incidentally, this is a good podcast about our view of Jesus as our mediator:

Jesus - Mediator and Intercessor - The Names of Jesus | Ancient Faith Ministries

 

[HTacianas]

I usually see that on prayers so I'm curious about the meaning of that.

It's a symbol of humility. George Washington once wrote a letter to a British general pleading for leniency for American prisoners of war. It began, "My Lord..." and ended "...your servant". Well, a British general wasn't lord over George Washington, and George Washington wasn't his servant. It's a pleasantry offered as a means of respect.

In that regard I certainly respect the Theotokos. She was chosen to give birth to the son of God, and obediently carried that out. Compared to that, who am I. If she appeared in front of me and told me to do something I would certainly play the obedient servant.

 

[FireDragon76]

It's a symbol of humility. George Washington once wrote a letter to a British general pleading for leniency for American prisoners of war. It began, "My Lord..." and ended "...your servant". Well, a British general wasn't lord over George Washington, and George Washington wasn't his servant. It's a pleasantry offered as a means of respect.

In that regard I certainly respect the Theotokos. She was chosen to give birth to the son of God, and obediently carried that out. Compared to that, who am I. If she appeared in front of me and told me to do something I would certainly play the obedient servant.

You hit the nail on the head. It's ingratiating sort of language and should not be understood in precise terms. Alot of Orthodox piety is like this.

 

[ArmyMatt]

we are her servants because she is the mother of the King.

 

[HTacianas]

"Like anyone else?" Do you imagine that we all ask Mary for her intercession? Why do you ask Mary for that? Doesn't the Bible say that Jesus is our one Advocate?

The bible says there is one mediator between God and man and that mediator is Jesus. Under the old covenant the high priest was considered mediator between God and man. The high priest would offer the sacrifices on behalf of the people.

Jesus is also identified as "an advocate with the Father" and certainly is. Though all those righteous saints who have died have passed into the presence of God. They are near God, cry out to God, and are aware of what is happening on the earth.

It is one of the earliest traditions of Christianity to ask those saints to intercede for us.