The Orthodox Church does not honor Mary by taking glory away from Christ. We honor Mary because of Christ. Her entire life points us toward Him.

The Church’s celebration of the Annunciation calls it “the beginning of our salvation, the revelation of the eternal mystery.” The Son of God becomes the Son of the Virgin.

But today I want us to look at Mary from another perspective:

Mary as the woman who said “yes” to God—and then carried that “yes” through suffering.

Her life teaches us that obedience to God does not always remove suffering. Sometimes obedience takes us directly through suffering.