“Awake, my harp, your songs
in praise of the Virgin Mary!
Lift up your voice and sing
the wonderful history
of the Virgin, the daughter of David,
who gave birth to the Life of the World.
Who loves you is amazed
and who would understand
is silent and confused,
because he cannot probe the Mother
who gave birth in her virginity.
If it is too great to be clarified
with words the disputants
ought not on that account
cross swords with your Son.”
St. Athanasius, Homily of the Papyrus of Turin (ante 373 AD)
“O noble Virgin, truly you are greater than any other greatness. For who is
your equal in greatness, O dwelling place of God the Word? To whom
among all creatures shall I compare you, O Virgin? You are greater than
them all, O Covenant, clothed with purity instead of gold! You are the Ark
in which is found the golden vessel containing the true manna, that is, the
flesh in which divinity resides.”
St. Ambrose of Milan, The Consecration of a Virgin and the
Perpetual Virginity of Mary 33 (391-392 AD)
“Come then, O Eve, who now are called Mary; you not only received an
incentive to virginity but also gave us God.”
Liturgy of St. James the Less (ante 5th century AD)
“Our most holy, immaculate, and most glorious Lady, Mother of God and
ever Virgin Mary.”
St. Epiphanius of Salamis, Prayers in Praise of Mary (ante 440 AD)
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