Akathist Hymn Analysis

The contemplation of Mary, leads one to contemplating Jesus because of their intimate relationship as mother and son. Mary’s ‘yes’ to the angel Gabrielle, and all the events which occur after do not allow one to separate Mary from Jesus, because she not only gave birth to Jesus but watched her only son suffer and die. The Akathist Hymn, is a Greek Marian prayer consists of 24 stanzas which have a particular rhythm and pattern. Cherished by the Eastern rite, the hymn is a beautifully crafted praise of Mary, through this praise ones’ heart is directed toward her son Jesus via scriptural allusion. .
In the first stanza of the hymn, lines nine and ten chant “Rejoice you through whom creation is renewed. Rejoice, you through whom the Creator is born a Babe. Rejoice, O Bride Ever-Virgin.” The “babe” and renewal of creation refers to Jesus and the Old Testament promise from …show more content…
Rejoice, Downfall of demons.” While this line may seem out of place in a hymn that is aimed at praising Mary, it actually allows one to praise her ever more because it aligns the actions of Jesus with her. Without Mary, Jesus would not have become incarnate, thus all of his actions can ultimately be traced back to her love. This verse in the hymn references the miracles that Jesus performed, one witnesses the “uplifting of men” several times in scripture. For example, in Mark 2:1-12 Jesus heals a man who is paralyzed, saying “Get up, take your mat and go home”. Further, in Luke there are two accounts of Jesus raising the dead, in chapter 7 the son of the widow of Nain, and in chapter 8 the daughter of Jairus. Similarly, there are multiple accounts of Jesus conducting the “downfall of demons”, in Luke 11, Jesus encounters a man who is mute because of a demon, one he casts the demon out the man is able to speak again. In fact, “He went into their synagogues throughout all Galilee, preaching and casting out demons” (Mark