The Holy Theotokos’ virtues and the grace of God that purified Her to
become the Mother of God, have placed Her higher than all the righteous
and holy people and even the heavenly host. Her zeal towards prayer and
pious activities, Her ever-virginal purity and chastity, Her faith in
God’s promises, Her constant attentiveness to the paths of God’s
Providence, Her devotion to God’s will, Her equable tolerance of
difficult circumstances of life, Her unshakeable courage amid the
greatest sorrows and tribulations, Her maternal concern and heartfelt
warmth towards those around Her, and most of all – Her absolute
humility: such are the moral perfections that were constantly
manifested in Her, from childhood to dormition.
