Hymns to Mary

Marian hymns are Christian songs focused on Mary, mother of Jesus. They are used in devotional and liturgical services, particularly by the Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, and Anglican churches.

Some have been adopted as Christmas hymns. Marian hymns are not popular among Protestants who see Marian veneration as idolatry.

The Eastern Orthodox yearly cycle of liturgy has more hymns to Mary than does the liturgy of Roman Catholicism, which often uses them in month-of-May devotions.

These liturgies include the Magnificat hymn, which is one of the eight most ancient Christian hymns—perhaps the earliest, according to historian Marjorie Reeves. It is named after its first word in the 4th-century Vulgate Bible, based on Luke 1:46–55, and is widely used by Roman Catholics, Anglicans, and the Eastern Orthodox.

Some Marian hymns are shared by different groups of Christians, or are influenced by other hymns. For instance, the second stanza of the Anglican hymn Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones is derived from the Eastern Orthodox hymn to the Theotokos.

Some Marian hymns—e.g., the Akathist to the Theotokos—reflect the Mariological approach of their historical period.

In the Eastern Church, the Theotokia (i.e. hymns to the Theotokos) are an essential part of the Divine Liturgy. The positioning of Marian hymns in the Orthodox liturgical services effectively places the Theotokos in the most prominent place after Christ, in that the Theotokia immediately follow the hymns that praise Christ. In the Theotokia people repeat the name Mary many times as a sign of their close friendship with her, and as an expression of the desire to call her by her name. Parts of the Axion Estin hymn date back to 8th-century (Cosmas of Maiuma).

In the Eastern Church, the Theotokia often include biblical references that emphasize the mystery of the Incarnation. These Marian hymns have been used in daily prayers since early Christianity (they became part of liturgy later) as a way to teach people the Orthodox beliefs, and to prepare them against ideas considered heresies. Marian hymns remain a key element in the liturgy of the Coptic Church and are included in every canonical hour, day and night.