Lilyo Hoosoyo - First Watch

This Hoosoyo from Tuesday's Lilyo is rather beautiful and theologically deep, despite a particularly dense phrasing of ideas.

As is the entire First Watch of every Lilyo, this Hoosoyo places Mary in a proper soteriological context while worshipping Jesus. Similar to the pre-Vatican II Latin Church, Maronite prayers always seek to only invoke Mary as a gate (the symbol quite often used, actually) to Jesus - a prayer that does not invoke Mary as a means to God, but a power in herself is rather repugnant to Syriac theology. Even while concepts such as "Co-Redemptrix" might be well-intentioned, it begins to depart from Mary as primary intercessor to dangerously sitting on the fence of Marian worship. The very fact that salvation would be associated with Mary is extremely dangerous - salvation, exclusively and without exception, comes from God alone. The position of those who advocate "Co-Redemptrix" generally claim Mary's acceptance of the plan of salvation as necessary for God to save humanity - an abhorrent idea, since God is an omnipotent being He could simply will the salvation of man, so to say the intention of a human could impede salvation is frighteningly wrong (this in no way diminishes Mary as pure, ever-virgin or holy, but the reality of the finitude of humanity must be acknowledge). That is why, in proper Syriac theology that has been transmitted to us by our forefathers, we must look to Mary in the greater context of salvation given by the hand of God.

Proemion

May we be worthy to raise glory, thanksgiving, worship, honor, praise, exaltation, greatness and beauty to the Watcher, whom the watchers watchfully worship – His Light does not set nor the darkness overtake it. They worship the Light and glorify the Light. To He who is the Light, they pour out “holies” unceasingly, and by He who is the Light they are stupefied – one of the persons of the Holy Trinity, God the Word. He, who in theology, is glorified – while the Son was not removed from His Father, He descended and dwelt in the pure womb of the Virgin Mary, visited our race in His compassion and took pity on our forms in His mercy. To the Good One is due glory and honor, at this time and in all feasts, moments, hours, seasons and days of our lives, now and in all ages, forever.

Sedro

We petition You, the Messiah our God, that through the prayers of Your Mother and those of Your holy ones, make us white in Your benevolence and mercy, and accept upon Your lofty altar on high in heaven the offerings and petitions of we, Your sinful servants. Grant, in Your goodness, Lord, to the sick health, to the afflicted relief, to the lost finding, to the dead repose and to the living good hope. To us, Your weak and sinful servants, Lord, grant that we may be transformed into beautiful things of every sort – from impure, may we be pure, and from polluted, may we be pleasing and delightful. Make us worthy so that every day of our lives we may be worthy to celebrate You with joyful and cheerful feasts. May we arrive at a blessed end and the promised eternal life. There, as one, in confidence may we raise glory to You, and to Your Father, and to Your Holy Spirit, now and at all times, forever.

Qolo

Melody

Psalm 45:9

The daughter of the King stood in glory – the queen on the right.

Peace be with you, pure virgin daughter of David – the Mother full of all graces. Implore mercy on behalf of our souls, for we honor your remembrance, that through your prayers we may be delivered, hallelujah! From harm.

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit from now until the age of ages, Amen.

All mouths and tongues of mankind will call Mary blessed, who was worthy to be the Mother to He who governs in His compassion the beings above with those below. Hallelujah, your prayers are with us.

  

Etro

Now intercede, O One full of all graces of purity, to the Only-Begotten Son of God who, from your womb, dawned upon us with holiness, that this incense, which we have diligently offered on your feast, be like that of the Levites, accepted from our hands discriminately. By it, may all our debts be mercifully blotted out. By it, may all the departed believers be similarly forgiven. As one, may we raise glory and thanksgiving to your Only-Begotten Son, and to His Father, and to His living and Holy Spirit, now and at all times, forever.

Our Lord, accept our service, our prayers, come to our aid and have mercy on us!