St. Ephrem: Prayer to the most holy Mother of God

“But, O Virgin lady, immaculate Mother of God, my lady most glorious, most precious, higher than heaven, much purer than the sun’s splendor, rays or light . . . budding staff of Aaron, you appeared as the true staff, and the flower is your Son our true Christ, my God and Maker. You bore God and the Word according to the flesh, preserving your virginity before childbirth, a virgin after childbirth, and we have been reconciled with Christ God your Son.”

~St. Ephrem the Syrian