It is fitting to present here the complete Theotokarion of St. Andrew of Crete, which, up to now, has been quoted only in parts and scattered verses:
“Rejoice, O God after God. You have honors second after the Trinity and you directly receive the fullness of the gifts of God, transporting them to all, to angels and to men, O Bride of the Father, spotless Mother of the Son, holy and all-illumined Temple of the Holy Spirit. All-Pure One and most purposeful and ultimate completion of all creation, for which the world was made, in your birthgiving was the eternal will of the Creator fulfilled.” For Christ “is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature, and by Him were all things made that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers; all things were made by Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist.”47
We give to God our whole faith and hope in Him through the Theotokos and “Mistress of the World,”48 who, was given to share with Him the ontological cause of creation. Creation was made because, by her free consent and mediation, the eternal will and mystery of the Incarnation, “the mystery which hath been hid from before the ages and generations,”49 was fulfilled in her pure and fertile womb.
“O Theotokos, by your intercessions you give good order to the breezes and grant rains in due season. You guide straight the winds and make the earth fruitful. You restore peace to the Church and uphold Orthodoxy. You guard the realm and disperse the barbarian nations. You look after every race of Christians, and you accept our boldness as well. You prophetically sang your oracle that would come to pass which says, ‘For behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.’ Your divinely uttered word surely does not pass away, therefore, accept from me, your unworthy servant, such salutation as I am able to make, and ‘restore unto me the joy of salvation.’ Through the power of your intercessions, establish me in Christ Jesus our Lord, to whom belongs honor and glory and power with the all-sustaining Father and the life creating Spirit. Amen.”50
~Adapted from George S. Gabriel, Mary: The Untrodden Portal of God
47. Col. 1:15-17
48. Small Supplicatory Canon.
49. Col. 1:26
50. Theodore the Studite, Encomium on the Dormition, PG, 99, 729,A,B.
