Background of Kiahk Praises

Pondering the Mystery of Mystery

St. Gregory Thaumaturgus (AKA Gregory the Wonder worker or Miracle)

3rd century

Bishop of Neocaesarea

Series of Homilies on the Annunciation

Homily 3 “In the Sixth Month”

Conversation between God and the Angel Gabriel

{God Speaking to Gabriel} I am moved with compassion to descent to earth to recover the lost Adam. Sin has decayed him who was made in My Image, has corrupted the work of My hands, has obscured the beauty which I formed.”

Gabriel Pondering what was instructed

{Gabriel pondering} Strange is this matter; passing comprehension is this thing that is spoken…He Who is incomprehensible to all the heavenly power, does He give the assurance of His connection with a maiden?…But can the womb contain Him who cannot be contained in space?…The bounds of heaven and earth do not contain You, and how shall the womb of a virgin contain You?

Pondering the the incarnation has been a mystery wrestled since its occurence through today.

The incarnation would take center stage again at the

Council of Ephesus in 431

Nestorius, Bishop of Constantinople

Christokos (Christ bearer)

St. Cyril of Alexandria

Theotokos (God bearer)

Response of the Church

Theotokia - Hymn dedicated to the virgin Mary as the bearer of God

7 Theotokias

Monday

He Shone in the flesh, taken from the Virgin, without the seed of man, in order to save us

Tuesday

For of His own will, and the pleasure of His Father, and the Holy spirit, He came and saved us

Wednesday

The Father looked from heaven, and found no one like you, He sent His only begotten, who came and took flesh from you.

Thursday

He did not cease to be divine, He came and became the Son of Man, for he is the true God, who came and saved us.

Friday

He took what is our, and gave us what is His, we praise and glorify Him, and exalt Him

Saturday

Hail to you of full of grace, Hail to you who has found grace. Hail to you who has given birth to Christ. The Lord is with you.

Our Response

As Gabriel was will pondering the Lord asks him a question

And the Lord says: “How did the tent of Abraham contain me?”

And the angel says: “As there were there the depths of hospitality, O Lord, You showed Yourself there to Abraham at the door of the tent, and passed quickly by it, as He who fills all things.”