The document discusses the Final Commendation of the Litany of Peace in Orthodox Christian liturgy. It begins by describing how the deacon sings for the people to commit themselves and one another to Christ our God, remembering the Theotokos (Virgin Mary) and all saints. It then explores the theological significance of honoring Mary as the Mother of God, describing her role in the Incarnation and how she is portrayed in scripture and tradition. The document emphasizes how Mary's obedience allowed her to become the vessel through which God's plan of salvation was fulfilled.

1. Historical
Prospective of the Liturgy
THE FINAL COMMENDATION
OF
THE LITANY OF PEACE
ipodiakonos zoran j. bobic

2. The Final Commendation of the Litany of Peace:
• Standing before the royal doors, the deacon sings in a loud clear voice:
Remembering our most holy, pure, blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos
and ever virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commit ourselves and one
another and our whole life to Christ our God.
• Bible References: Saint Luke 1:42, Acts 20:32
• People: To You, O Lord.
• Surrender of ourselves to God is made through the help of His Mother;
• Also with all the saints;
• Faithfull surrender with : To You, O Lord;

3. The Final Commendation of the Litany of Peace:
• Glorification of Mary is to safeguard the right doctrines' of Christ’s person;
• It is about her glory & honor;
• It is about her relationship to Christ;
• Depth of the theology here is her Son’s two fold nature;
• Son of God is truly incarnate (with real body like ours)
• Son of God was born of Mary;
• Therefore: by giving the birth to Christ, the Incarnate God = “Mother of God”;

4. The Final Commendation of the Litany of Peace:
• “Theotokos” = Mother of God = from
4th century;
• Her divine maternity came under
attack in 5th century;
• It was about the doctrine of one person
in Jesus Christ, by Nestorius;

5. The Final Commendation of the Litany of Peace:
• In our Church we give her always the full title;
• People who do not believe in the Incarnation and redemption refuse to honor Mary;
• “ever-virgin Mary” another title;
• Mary was a virgin: “before, during and after” the birth of Christ;
• 5th Ecumenical Council – in article of faith (553 A.D.) confirmed this;
• About the virginity: Matt. 1:25;

6. The Final Commendation of the Litany of Peace:
• ‘the all-holy one” = another term in our Church;
• This derive from her position as Mother of God;
• She is supreme example of “synergy”;
• “synergy” = cooperation between God’s will and man’s freedom;
• God chose her as His Mother;
• Mary did not refuse; …but she could due to her free will;
• Eve’s disobedience was loosed through obedience of Mary;
• Eve, a virgin had bound through her unbelief, Mary, a virgin unloosed through her faith;
• Jerome: “Death by Eve, life by Mary”;

7. The Final Commendation of the Litany of Peace:
• Mary is mentioned no less then 8 times in the
Divine Liturgy;
• Feast of Her conception (December 9);
• “the one most blessed beyond all other”;
• “Blessed art thou among woman”;
• St. Luke 1:28 “Hail! Full of Grace!”

8. The Final Commendation of the Litany of Peace:
• Lord have mercy - Κύριε, ἐλέησον - ‫يا‬‫رب‬‫ارحم‬ – Господе помилуј -
• “have mercy” – taken from scriptural sense;
• “have mercy” – express the end of God’s wrath toward us;
• “have mercy” – the healing oil of his grace;
• “have mercy” – God’s loving kindness;
• “Lord have mercy” – 59 times is said during Divine Liturgy;
• Each time is said after each petition;
‫ارحم‬ ‫رب‬ ‫يا‬