Sunday

(Wudasse Mariam)The Praise of Our Lady, The Virgin Mary, The Bearer of God, Which is to be read on the Christian Sabbath (Senbete Kiristiyan Qidist, Sunday)

Thou was named "Beloved Woman", O blessed among women. Thou are the second Chamber, in that Thou was called "Holiest of Holies", and in it was the table of the Covenant and on it were the Ten Words which were written by the fingers of God. He (The Father) made known this to us first of all by "Yewta" which is the first letter of the Name of our Redeemer Jesus Christ, who became incarnate of Thee without change, and became the Mediator of the New Covenant, and by the shedding of His Holy Blood He purified the believers and the people who were pure. Pray to Him for us, O Holy One!

And because of this we all magnify Thee, O Our Lady, Thou ever pure God-Bearer. We beseech Thee at all times and lift our eyes to Thee, so that we may find mercy and compassion with the Lover of men. Thou are the Tabot which was covered on all its sides with gold, and was made of the wood that never perish, and that foreshadow for us the Word of God, who became man without separation and change, the pure and undefiled Deity, the equal of the Father. Unto Thee, as the pure woman, Gabriel announced Him without seed. And He became like unto us through the might of His wisdom: He who was spotless mingled His Divinity (without nature). Pray to Him for us, O Holy One!

Thou Sanctuary which the Cherubim who are fashioned in the likeness of God surround! The Word, who was incarnate of Thee, O pure woman, without change has become the forgiver of our sins and the Destroyer of our transgressions. Pray to Him for us, O Holy One!

Thou are the holy golden pot wherein the manna is hidden, the bread which came down from heaven, the giver of life unto all the world. Pray to Him for us, O Holy One!

Thou are the golden candlestick and do hold the brilliant Light at all times, the Light which is the Light of the World, the Light of lights which had no beginning, verily God of God, who became incarnate of thee without change. And by His coming He shed light upon us, upon those of us who were sitting in the shadow and darkness of death, and He set our feet upon the path of peace, through the mystery of His holy wisdom. Pray to Him for us, O Holy One!

Thou are the censer of gold because Thou did carry the coals of fire which the blessed one He took from the sanctuary. He who forgives sins and destroys wickedness, He Who is the Word of God, Who became incarnate of Thee, and who offered up to His Father incense and precious offerings. Pray to Him for us, O Holy One!

Rejoice O Mary, Beautiful Dove, Who has born for us the Word of God. Thou are the sweet-scented flower from the root of Jesse. Pray to Him for us, O Holy One!

Thou are like unto the Rod of Aaron, which without being planted in the ground and without watering, burst into blossom. In like manner Thou, O Bearer of Christ, did bring forth Christ our God in truth, without seed. He came and delivered us. Pray to Him for us, O Holy One!

It is meet for Thee, O Thou who are full of grace, more than for all the Saints to pray on our behalf. Thou are more honorable than the prophets. In Thee there is majesty of appearance, which is greater than the majesty of the Seraphim and Cherubim. Verily Thou are the glory of our race, and Thou are she who must beg for life for our souls. Pray Thou then on our behalf to our Lord Jesus Christ that He may confirm us in the Right Faith, that is to say, faith in Him, and that He may graciously bestow upon us His mercy and compassion, and in His abundant mercy forgive us our sins. Pray to Him for us, O Holy One!

AND BECAUSE OF THIS WE ALL MAGNIFY THEE O OUR LADY, THOU EVER PURE GOD-BEARER. WE BESEECH THEE AT ALL TIMES AND LIFT OUR EYES TO THEE, SO THAT WE MAY FIND MERCY AND COMPASSION WITH THE LOVER OF MEN.

(Photo: Interior of Debre Berhan Selassie in Ethiopia)