Homily of St. Epiphanius, Bishop (previously Octave of the Immaculate Conception)

 

 

What shall I say, or what shall I declare concerning the excellent and holy Virgin? For with the exception of God alone, she stands far above all; she is grander by nature than the Cherubim and Seraphim themselves and all the angelic army; no heavenly or earthly tongue is in the least able to praise her, nay, not even the tongue of angels. O blessed Virgin, pure dove and heavenly spouse, Mary, heaven, temple, and throne of the Divinity, who possesses Christ—the Sun shining in heaven and on earth! Bright cloud, who drew Christ as most brilliant lightning from heaven that He might illumine the world.

 

Hail, full of grace, gate of the heavens, concerning whom the Prophet in the course of prayer in the Canticle plainly and clearly speaks, exclaiming: "My sister, my spouse, is a garden enclosed, a fountain sealed up." The Virgin is an immaculate lily, who begot an undying rose—Christ. O thou holy Mother of God, spotless ewe, who has brought forth Christ the Lamb, 'the Word who has taken His flesh from you! O thou most holy Virgin, who hast brought the army of angels to wonder!

 

Marvelous is the miracle in the heavens, a woman clothed with the Bun, carrying the light in her arms; marvelous is the miracle in the heavens, the bridal chamber of a Virgin bearing the Son of God; marvelous is the miracle in the heavens, the Lord of angels has become the Infant of a Virgin. The angels condemned Eve; now, however, in glory they follow Mary who raised up the fallen Eve and who sent into heaven Adam who had been cast out of paradise.  For she herself is the mediatrix between heaven and earth, who effected their union by nature.

 

The grace of the holy Virgin is immeasurable. Hence Gabriel first salutes the Virgin by saying: Hail, full of grace, you are a glorious heaven. Hail, full of grace, a Virgin adorned with many virtues. Hail, full of grace, you are a golden vessel containing the heavenly manna. Hail, full of grace, you satisfy the thirsty by the sweetness of an everlasting fountain. Hail, most holy Mother Immaculate, you have given birth to Christ, who existed before you. Hail, royal purple, you have clothed the King of heaven and earth. Hail, unfathomable book, you show forth the Son of the Father and the Word to be read by the world.