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| The Theotokos as Eleusa (Virgin of Tenderness). |
I am posting this hymn today as another tribute to the Glorious and Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Victories: Salve, Mater Salvatoris!
Adam of St. Victor who was a prominent and prolific writer of Latin Hymns, born in the latter part of the twelfth century, probably at Paris. He was described as "the foremost among the sacred Latin poets of the Middle Ages". See the entry in the Catholic Encyclopedia.
Here is an English verse translation (by Joseph B. Collins, New York, 1939):
The English translation above ("Hail, Temple of the Trinity! Home of the Triune God!") misses the Latin’s play on the words “Trinitatis” and “Triclinium,” for if by Trinitas we mean of the “Three in One God” then “Triclinium” may be taken to mean “Three couches” in one cenacle. See, for example, the entry for Triclinium in the DMLBS (Dictionary of Medieval Latin from British Sources):
triclinium [CL] 1 an arrangement of three couches, (transf.) room or hall containing (three) couches, (esp.) dining room;
The upper-room or Cenacle, scene of the Last Supper and of the Apostles’ first Holy Communion, later became a place of refuge for Our Lady and the disciples. Our Lady’s womb is likened to a “triclinium,” being a room equipped with three couches for the three Persons of the Trinity.
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