Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

The oldest known Marian prayer is from Egypt
Aletelia ^ | April 28, 2017 | Philip Kosloski

Posted on 04/29/2017 8:02:13 AM PDT by NYer

The "Sub tuum praesidium" was originally used in an ancient Coptic liturgy

As we pray for the success of Pope Francis’ trip to Egypt this weekend, a perfect prayer to use is the oldest known Marian prayer, which in fact, traces back to the pope’s host country.

The oldest known Marian prayer is found on an ancient Egyptian papyrus dating from around the year 250. Today known in the Church as the Sub tuum praesidium, the prayer is believed to have been part of the Coptic Vespers liturgy during the Christmas season.

Read more: Saint Mark: Father of Coptic Christianity

 

 

The original prayer was written in Greek and according to Roseanne Sullivan, “The prayer is addressed to Our Lady using the Greek word Θεοτόκος, which is an adjectival form of Θεοφόρος (Theotokos, or God-bearer) and is more properly translated as ‘she whose offspring is God.'” This helps to prove that the early Christians were already familiar with the word “Theotokos” well before the Third Ecumenical Council at Ephesus ratified its usage.

Below can be found the original Greek text from the papyrus, along with an English translation as listed on the New Liturgical Movement website:

 

On the papyrus, we can read:
.ΠΟ
ΕΥCΠΑ
ΚΑΤΑΦΕ
ΘΕΟΤΟΚΕΤ
ΙΚΕCΙΑCΜΗΠΑ
ΕΙΔΗCΕΜΠΕΡΙCTAC
AΛΛΕΚΚΙΝΔΥΝΟΥ
…ΡΥCΑΙΗΜΑC
MONH
…HEΥΛΟΓ
And an English translation could be:
Under your
mercy
we take refuge,
Mother of God! Our
prayers, do not despise
in necessities,
but from the danger
deliver us,
only pure,
only blessed.

 

More commonly the prayer is translated:

Beneath your compassion,
We take refuge, O Mother of God:
do not despise our petitions in time of trouble:
but rescue us from dangers,
only pure, only blessed one.

Several centuries later a Latin prayer was developed and is more widely known in the Roman Catholic Church:

Latin Text 
Sub tuum praesidium
confugimus,
Sancta Dei Genetrix.
Nostras deprecationes ne despicias
in necessitatibus nostris,
sed a periculis cunctis
libera nos semper,
Virgo gloriosa et benedicta
English Text
We fly to Thy protection,
O Holy Mother of God;
Do not despise our petitions
in our necessities,
but deliver us always
from all dangers,
O Glorious and Blessed Virgin. Amen.

 

The prayer is currently part of the Byzantine, Roman and Ambrosian rites in the Catholic Church and is used specifically as a Marian antiphon after the conclusion of Compline outside of Lent (in the older form of the Roman breviary). It is also a common prayer that has stood the test of time and is a favorite of many Christians, and is the root of the popular devotional prayer, the Memorare.

 


TOPICS: Catholic; History; Orthodox Christian; Prayer
KEYWORDS: christendom; churchhistory; cultofisis; egypt; greek; isis; isisworship
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 361-380381-400401-420 ... 621-624 next last
To: Fedora; Elsie
"When the faithful call upon Mary as "Mother of God" and contemplate in her the highest dignity conferred upon a creature, they are still not offering her a veneration equal to that of the divine Persons. There is an infinite distance between Marian veneration and worship of the Trinity and the Incarnate Word.

No there isn't.

Mary is treated the same by Catholics and considered actually MORE sympathetic towards people than God/Jesus is.

Catholics pray to both Mary and God.

Catholics bow before images of both Mary and God.

Catholics capitalize the names of both Mary and God, something that is supposed to be reserved for Deity only.

Catholics claims that Mary was without sin, as was Jesus.

Catholics teach that Mary answers prayer as God does.

Catholics consecrate themselves to Mary, something I don't see encouraged or mentioned concerning Jesus.

381 posted on 05/01/2017 11:58:06 PM PDT by metmom ( ...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 313 | View Replies]

To: Elsie

How many PROTs on FR disclose their particular denomination? I’ve seen many asked that question who refuse to answer.


382 posted on 05/02/2017 3:21:20 AM PDT by rwa265
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 373 | View Replies]

To: metmom

Speaking for myself, I do not treat Mary and God/Jesus the same. It may appear that some Christians who are Catholic do, but those that do are not following the teachings of God through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, nor are they following the teachings of the Church.

May the Peace of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ be with you.
Rich


383 posted on 05/02/2017 3:50:21 AM PDT by rwa265
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 381 | View Replies]

To: rwa265
Speaking for myself, I do not treat Mary and God/Jesus the same.

I believe you.

It may appear that some Christians who are Catholic do, but those that do are not following the teachings of God through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, nor are they following the teachings of the Church.

However, even the church is guilty of some of those things.

May the Peace of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ be with you.

And also with you.

(Some things never leave you.)

384 posted on 05/02/2017 4:09:14 AM PDT by metmom ( ...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 383 | View Replies]

To: rwa265
How many PROTs on FR disclose their particular denomination? I’ve seen many asked that question who refuse to answer.

Refuse?

You've not asked, but I attend a Wesleyan congregation.



385 posted on 05/02/2017 4:36:54 AM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 382 | View Replies]

To: metmom

; ^ )


386 posted on 05/02/2017 4:37:38 AM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 384 | View Replies]

To: af_vet_1981
You left out the rest of what Elisha said. It is not simply an exclamation that asks nothing, for it is repeated later in the same book. It is a cry for help from the designated deliverer of Israel when it appears that deliverer will be taken from Israel. King Joash uses the same cry to the Prophet Elisha as Elisha used with the Prophet Elijah, and then Elisha provides deliverance through the spirit of Elijah (which you correctly stated was the Spirit of God), according to the faith of King Joash. Elisha chastised King Joash for not having more faith by which his prayer would have been answered with more deliverance from the adversaries of Israel.

Try as you must, there is no request or need for one by Elisha in "O my father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof." Elisha had no need to request anything since he was already promised what he had requested, but expresses grief at the loss of his spiritual father. Neither his exclamation of "My father, my father..." by him nor by Joash was asking anything, but are both are lamentations of honor such as Jews might give at the passing of someone.

Joash weeps over the impending loss of Elisha, who is neither is given nor answers any request, nor even shows sympathy, but in response he continues to fulfill his role as a prophet by foretelling what God will do, yet reproving the king for his lack of zeal.

That you get prayers out of these honorifics expressed due the loss of someone again testifies to Catholic desperation in their private interpretation. Again, give it up and admit it call comes from extraBiblical tradition.

387 posted on 05/02/2017 4:50:46 AM PDT by daniel1212 ( Turn to the Lord Jesus as a damned and destitute sinner+ trust Him to save you, then follow Him!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 366 | View Replies]

To: BipolarBob

Post of the week!!!


388 posted on 05/02/2017 5:06:22 AM PDT by MHGinTN (A dispensational perspective is a powerful tool for discernment)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 341 | View Replies]

To: Biggirl

Bwahahahaa, did you stomp your widdle feet when you wrote that? LOL


389 posted on 05/02/2017 5:08:03 AM PDT by MHGinTN (A dispensational perspective is a powerful tool for discernment)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 342 | View Replies]

To: MHGinTN

I just consider what you say nothing more than OPINIONS only, no more, no less .


390 posted on 05/02/2017 5:27:26 AM PDT by Biggirl ("One Lord, one faith, one baptism5" - Ephesians 4:5)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 389 | View Replies]

To: boatbums
The Treasury of Merit is one of the more unbiblical things I've read about in Roman Catholicism.

It's one of those "feel good" things that negates what Christ has done on the Cross.

The blood of Christ is more than sufficient to cleanse us from all sin. That's what Christianity teaches.

391 posted on 05/02/2017 5:42:30 AM PDT by ealgeone
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 379 | View Replies]

To: rwa265
How many PROTs on FR disclose their particular denomination?

I consider the question irrelevant. #1 I can/have attend different church's with ease. #2 My identity is with Christ NOT a denomination with which we may not agree with everything.#3 I've attended home church's with no particular denomination. #4 The denomination doesn't save you, Jesus does. #5 I don't have to attend any church because me and my wife are a church (where two or more are gathered together in My name . . ).

392 posted on 05/02/2017 7:28:04 AM PDT by BipolarBob (Don't be a pessimist, be an optometrist.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 382 | View Replies]

To: Biggirl
I just consider what you say nothing more than OPINIONS only, no more, no less .

Then you'll forgive us when we consider the same for your postings, eh?

393 posted on 05/02/2017 7:29:41 AM PDT by BipolarBob (Don't be a pessimist, be an optometrist.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 390 | View Replies]

To: rwa265

“How many PROTs on FR disclose their particular denomination?

Denominations???

Dude, you’re missing the big picture.

Christianity is about salvation and eternal life through His sacrifice and through no merit of our own.

Lift your eyes higher to Him. Throw away your heads and hexagrams and idols.

You can have eternal life in Him today.

Why focus on the l seer things on earth???


394 posted on 05/02/2017 8:05:15 AM PDT by aMorePerfectUnion
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 382 | View Replies]

To: rwa265

The NT only remotely mentions one denomination....John the Baptist!


395 posted on 05/02/2017 8:40:13 AM PDT by ealgeone
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 382 | View Replies]

To: aMorePerfectUnion; Elsie

Are you a member of a particular denomination?

If so, which one?

If not, are you a member of a non-denominational congregation?


396 posted on 05/02/2017 9:04:03 AM PDT by rwa265
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 394 | View Replies]

To: BipolarBob; Elsie

Thanks for proving my point.


397 posted on 05/02/2017 9:14:28 AM PDT by rwa265
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 392 | View Replies]

To: Elsie

You’ve not asked, but I attend a Wesleyan congregation.


I remember you mentioning it. But as you can see from other posts, there are those who refuse to disclose if or where they attend a particular congregation. Which is fine. If they don’t want to share the manner in which they practice their faith, I don’t need to know.


398 posted on 05/02/2017 9:22:31 AM PDT by rwa265
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 385 | View Replies]

To: rwa265
Dude, I'm beginning to realize you probably don't understand the point of Christ coming to earth.

Again, here is your answer:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/religion/3548547/posts?page=394#394

399 posted on 05/02/2017 9:47:12 AM PDT by aMorePerfectUnion
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 396 | View Replies]

To: rwa265; Elsie
Thanks for proving my point.

Not a problem. I don't know what exactly you think you've "proved", but if you're happy then all is well. really I believe in "bathroom religion". Nobody can go to the bathroom for you and the same thing applies to religion. It's really just you and God. Not you and your religion and God but YOU and GOD, period. It's that personal. There is no safety in numbers, tradition, denomination or fancy theology. When it comes to the White Throne judgement, there will be no Catholic priest, Pope or congregation in your corner. There is no grading on the curve. No "he was a good guy and liked cats". Just you and God. Denomination will be out the window. There are no denominations in Heaven.

400 posted on 05/02/2017 11:23:52 AM PDT by BipolarBob (Don't be a pessimist, be an optometrist.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 397 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 361-380381-400401-420 ... 621-624 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson