The Archangel Gabriel was sent from heaven to bring the good news of conception to the Virgin, and, coming to Nazareth, he said to himself, being astonished at the wonder: "How is He, Who dwells in the highest as one incomprehensible, coming to be born of a virgin, He Whose throne is heaven, and Whose footstool is the earth, is coming to be contained in the woman's womb? The Six-winged [Seraphim] and the Many-eyed [Cherubim] are unable to gaze upon Him, and through His word alone, He is condescending to become incarnate, as the Word of God. Why am I standing here, and not saying to the Lady: 'Rejoice, O Full of Grace, the Lord is with you. Rejoice, O pure Virgin, rejoice, O unwedded Bride, rejoice the Mother of life, blessed is the fruit of your womb.'"
-Doxastikon of the Stichera from the Great Vespers of the Annunciation, written by St. John of Damascus
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