Why are we Mary"s servants?

Not David · Apr 22, 2019

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

FireDragon76 · Apr 22, 2019

Isn't that a Catholic thing?

Not David · Apr 22, 2019

FireDragon76 said:
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 · Apr 22, 2019

David Cabrera said:
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 · Apr 22, 2019

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

FireDragon76 · Apr 22, 2019

Ttalkkugjil said:
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 · Apr 22, 2019

FireDragon76 said:
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 · Apr 22, 2019

FireDragon76 said:
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 · Apr 22, 2019

Ttalkkugjil said:
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 · Apr 22, 2019

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 · Apr 22, 2019

Ttalkkugjil said:
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 · Apr 22, 2019

David Cabrera said:
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 · Apr 22, 2019

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

Ttalkkugjil · Apr 22, 2019

FireDragon76 said:
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 · Apr 22, 2019

Ttalkkugjil said:
"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 · Apr 22, 2019

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 · Apr 22, 2019

David Cabrera said:
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 · Apr 22, 2019

HTacianas said:
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 · Apr 22, 2019

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

HTacianas · Apr 22, 2019

Ttalkkugjil said:
"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.

Why are we Mary"s servants?

Antiochian Orthodox

Well-Known Member

Antiochian Orthodox

Social Pastor

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Social Pastor

Antiochian Orthodox

Antiochian Orthodox

✙ The Handmaid of God Laura ✙

Well-Known Member

Social Pastor

✙ The Handmaid of God Laura ✙

Social Pastor

✙ The Handmaid of God Laura ✙

✙ The Handmaid of God Laura ✙

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Regular Member

Well-Known Member

Similar threads

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency