During the Middle Ages, May was traditionally a month held to be in honour of the Mother of God. Statues in churches would be decorated with flowers, and acts of devotion made.
Although for us Orthodox, August is traditionally a focus of devotion to the Theotokos, with the Dormition Fast and the associated Paraclesis, there seems no reason why May could not also be a focus of special devotion to the Blessed Mother of God.
Information about the history of May Gardens can be found here :-
http://www.mgardens.org/NATFOLMG-UK.html
including information as to how to set up your very own May garden in honour of the Blessed Virgin.
Enjoy !
3 comments:
Thank you for the link. Someone sent it to me last year (I think maybe Mimi), and I was just thinking that I wanted to build one of these gardens over the course of the summer so it would be "ready" in August...but I had lost the link! The kids love to garden with me!
This ecstasy all through mothering earth
Tells Mary her mirth till Christ’s birth
To remember and exultation
In God who was her salvation.
The last verse of Gerard Manley Hopkins' May Magnificat, it's always been one of my favourite poems.
http://www.bartleby.com/122/18.html
It was me, I think that Mary Gardens are so cool! I've never done one, though, as I have a black thumb. But, I digress.
Luz, that is gorgeous. I have become more and more appreciative of Gerald Manley Hopkins as I've gotten older - he was an incredible poet.
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