Cyril of Alexandria: Mary as Mediatrix

I salute you, O Mary, Theotókos: through you the prophets speak out and the shepherds sing God’s praises . . . , the angels dance and the archangels sing tremendous hymns . . . , the Magi prostrate themselves in adoration . . . , the dignity of the twelve apostles . . . , John exulted while still in his mother’s womb, and the lamp adored the everlasting light . . . , grace ineffable came forth . . . , the true light came into the world, our Lord Jesus Christ . . . , light shone on those sitting in darkness and in the shadow of death . . . .

Because of you the Gospels proclaim, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord” (Lk 19:38); through you, the churches of those who possess the orthodox faith have been founded in the cities, in the villages, in the isles . . . , the Conqueror of death and Destroyer of hell has come forth. . . . He has come, the Maker of the first creation, and he has repaired the first man’s falsehood, he who governs the heavenly kingdom. . . .

Through you, the beauty of the Resurrection flowered, and its brilliance shone out . . . , the tremendous baptism of holiness in the Jordan has shone out . . . , John and the river Jordan are made holy, and the devil is cast out. . . .

Through you, every faithful soul achieves salvation.

~St. Cyril of Alexandria (d. 444): Homily 11