rom those on high; for this was a divine condescension and not a change of place. And
His birth vas from a God-possessed Virgin who heard words like these:
Rejoice, door of solemn mystery!
Rejoice, doubtful report of unbelievers!
Rejoice, renowned boast of the faithful!
Rejoice, all-holy chariot of Him Who rideth upon the Cherubim!
Rejoice, all-glorious temple of Him Who is above the Seraphim!
Rejoice, thou who hast united opposites!
Rejoice, thou who hast joined virginity and motherhood.
Rejoice, thou through whom sin hath been absolved!
Rejoice, thou through whom Paradise is opened!
Rejoice, key to the Kingdom of Christ!
Rejoice, hope of eternal blessings!
Rejoice, thou Bride unwedded!
inaccessible God as a man accessible to all, abiding with us and hearing from all:
Alleluia!
ask: How canst thou bear a child and yet remain a Virgin? But we marvel at the
mystery, and cry with faith:
Rejoice, treasury of His Providence!
Rejoice, thou who showest philosophers to be fools!
Rejoice, thou who constrainest the learned to silence!
Rejoice, for the clever critics have made fools of themselves!
Rejoice, for the writers of myths have died out!