www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall Something about Mary

[QUOTE] A few years ago I remember meeting
people who were into the so-called visions of Bayside, NY. The ordinary of the diocese condemned
them. (You occassionaly see postings on Catholic web-sites about it.) [QUOTE]

Dear Mike,

I recall coming across a newspaper on those 'visions'. It gave me a very oppressed feeling, so I threw it away.

It seems everyone has their own experiences with prayers. For a time I tried to pray directly to Jesus, the way the Evangelicals did. I was quickly made to realize that my Lord wanted me to pray to the person I had always prayed to...His mother Mary.

According to Saint Gregory Palamas in the book SAINT GREGORY THE HAGIORITE, she transmits grace to the saints:

"in order that as in charge of the office where holiness is given, she may convey gifts of holiness to all without exception, without leaving anyone without a share, even of the hidden things of the universe, that is to say of those inaccessible things".

This is because the Theotokos is not only holy, but that she:

"alone is the boundary between created and uncreated nature". And therefore no one can come to God without her and through the mediation which has come from her; and none of the gifts from God could have been given to angels and men except through her'.

Zenovia

The picture of the statue on this page that Alex posted http://www.montfortmissionaries.com/ reminds me of what I thought of as I read in Zenovia's post
According to Saint Gregory Palamas in the book SAINT GREGORY THE HAGIORITE, she transmits grace to the saints:

I could just imagine her as a young mother sitting there with Jesus on her lap on a hot summer day, shewing away insects or anything that would harm him. Yet in her gentleness she would not want to harm them, not even a hair on their bodies - or whatever they have. So she would gently guide those that would not be so kind to her Son as a small child, to where they needed to be. Whether human or insect (ok I know that is weird), but there is a point to it. No matter how messed up our lives are, and not many of us think pestulence is great stuff but we can be like insects rather obnoxious at times, she gently guides us with the grace of God to her Son. Then the ugliness of our nature is much sweeter and a satisfing arouma to our Lord.

After all the Agngel Gabriel did say "Hail Mary full of Grace!" The Lord is with you!

Dear Mike,

Sorry, but I didn't catch your point above until now.

You said that the icon of the Protection depicts the Theotokos without Jesus - in fact, Christ is shown above her in a medallion, is He not?

Alex

In some Pokrov icons, yes; in others, no.