The Most Holy Theotokos
The Magnificat
The Song of the Theotokos
The Song of the Theotokos
Editor's note
When the Virgin came with the Lord within her to her kinswoman Elizabeth, and Elizabeth's child leapt for joy, she answered with this song. The Church has never stopped singing it: it is chanted at Orthros every morning, each verse answered by the hymn to her who is more honorable than the Cherubim. These are her own words, recorded by the Evangelist Luke.
Luke 1:46-55 (King James Version)
ScriptureVerbatim Scripture.
My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.
He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.
He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.
He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; as he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.