ORDINARIVM

SVB TVVM PRAESIDIVM

We Fly to Thy Protection

The Sub Tuum Praesidium is the oldest known prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary, dating to at least the 3rd century (Rylands Papyrus 470). The use of 'Theotokos' (Mother of God) demonstrates this title was common before the Council of Ephesus (431). Used at Compline and in times of danger.

LATINE
Sub tuum praesidium confugimus, Sancta Dei Genetrix.
Nostras deprecationes ne despicias in necessitatibus nostris,
sed a periculis cunctis libera nos semper,
Virgo gloriosa et benedicta.
ENGLISH
We fly to thy patronage, O holy Mother of God.
Despise not our petitions in our necessities,
but deliver us always from all dangers,
O glorious and blessed Virgin.
NOTA
FONS
3rd century (Rylands Papyrus 470)
USUS
Compline, Marian devotions
CONTEXT
The use of 'Theotokos' (Dei Genetrix, Mother of God) in such an early text demonstrates that this title was in use long before the Council of Ephesus (431) formally defined it.