Mary, venerable treasure of the whole world

We greet you Mary, Mother of God, venerable treasure of the whole world, inextinguishable lamp, crown of virginity, scepter of orthodoxy, indestructible temple... mother and virgin...

We greet you, who held in your holy, virginal womb, the one who cannot be contained. Because of you, the Trinity is worshiped and adored. Because of you the cross is venerated and adored throughout the whole world. Because of you heaven rejoices, the angles and archangels delight and demons are put to flight. Because of you, the devil, the tempter, has fallen from heaven, and fallen creation is taken up to heaven...

What more needs be said? Because of you, the Only-Begotten Son of God has shone as a light on those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death (cf Luke 1:79). Because of you the dead are raised and kings rule through the grace of the Holy Trinity.

Who can sing adequately the praise of Mary? She is both virgin and mother... Behold now, the universe rejoices. Let us tremble and worship the undivided Trinity. Let us praise the ever-virgin Mary...

Saint John Chrysostom, Homily 4 at the council of Ephesus