Early English Mariology in Genesis A, the Order of the World, the Alfredian ‘Boethius’ Metre 29, the Apostles’ Creed and the Advent Lyrics: ‘Χαῖρε, Νύμφη Ἀνύμφευτε’

Abstract This article will address early English Mariology in Old English religious verse. The foundation of Mariology is the Akathistos Hymn — the work of the famous Byzantine hymnographer Romanos the Melodist ( c . 485–560). The Akathistos Hymn owes its inspiration first and foremost to the ascetical teaching of Saint Gregory of Nyssa ( c . 335–394), as presented in his treatise De Virginitate . The underlying idea of the treatise is the mystical union with God (deification, theosis ) attained through imitation — ‘placing oneself like a mirror beneath the purity of God’. The article will demonstrate the presence of the Byzantine voice in Marian exegesis of the Old English Genesis A , the Order of the World , the Alfredian ‘Boethius’ Metre 29 , the Apostles’ Creed and the Advent Lyrics . I will argue that within the spirituality of the Benedictine cloister, pondering upon the mystery of the Virgin birth would kindle a desire to enter the bridal chamber of the divine mysteries, having become ‘a sister’ and ‘a spouse’ through purity.