The Fragrant Flower Isa. Orthodox

Continued 👇🏾 The Fragrant Flower (Isa. 11:1; Degwa, p. 199): You are the flower springing from the root of Jesse (Isa. 11:1), the rod of Aaron that blossomed without seed or watering (Num. 17:1–10). Dwelling twelve years in the temple, you brought forth the Fruit of life. Abba George wrote: “Like the dry rod that blossomed in the temple, you blossomed and bore the beloved fruit of salvation.” St. Yared likewise sang: “Aaron’s rod foreshadowed you, for you conceived without seed, by the power of the Spirit.” The Mystery of Redemption The Apostle Paul testifies: “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Eph. 1:7). By His precious blood, Christ redeemed not only the soul but also the body, restoring both to the promise of eternal life. Saint John Afework marveled at this mystery, saying that the forgiveness we received in Christ’s blood is greater than all human reason can comprehend. It was Mary, pure vessel of this mystery, who gave to the world Him who is both sacrifice and priest, offering Himself on the Cross as the acceptable offering before the Father. The Superiority of the Theotokos Let us not fail to recognize the supreme dignity of Mary. She is higher than patriarchs and prophets, greater than apostles and teachers, more exalted than cherubim and seraphim. The great Abba Hiriakos declared that she is feared by demons, honored by angels, and loved by the faithful, being the joy of the Lord and the refuge of mankind. Truly, she is the intercessor for our race, the firm support of our nature, the one who prays without ceasing that we may not fall from the grace and glory of her Son. Conclusion: Her Intercession and Our Hope Therefore, beloved, let us cling to her prayers. Let us ask the Mother of God that we may never be deprived of the grace and glory of Christ, her Son. Let her purity be our guide, her obedience our model, her intercession our shield. Through her prayers, may we be strengthened in faith, forgiven of our sins, and granted to partake of the eternal Kingdom. May the name of the Holy God be praised forever and ever in every tongue that He has created, today and always. May the blessings of God's mother, the virgin, and the cross be upon us. Amen. © John's Repentance Reach out to us on our social media platforms and share it with your friends:https://linktr.ee/johnsrepentance