*2.1. 10th-Century Hymns*

Dating from the 10th century, we have documented the following four hymns alluding to the subject we are studying:

The *Hymnus 71. Hymnus de sancta Maria* thus intones the saving and comforting power of Mary, by opening the door of the heavenly Paradise, as an antithesis to the deleterious role of Eve, who closed the door of the Earthly Paradise to us.

You are the only virgin mother, You remain as the gate of Heaven, Who are sad because of Eve Are now happy because of you.1

The *Hymnus 2. De Nativitate Beatae Mariae Virginis* celebrates the sublime mother of God with these poetic metaphors, which include its designation as a receptacle of divinity, as the pure cell, and as the tabernacle of the Lord:

The star of the sea has already been born, The star of the sea has already been born, The gate of Heaven, the pure cell. The pure cell, the gate of Heaven, The tabernacle of the Lord.2

The *Hymnus 6. Purificatio* thus proclaims the protective capacity of the Queen of Heaven:

Comfort us with your guardianship, Additionally, always being a virgin, [you are] the happy gate of Heaven.3

The *Hymnus 11. De Annuntiatione Beatae Virginis Mariae* exalts the saving power of the heavenly Sovereign—whose royal Davidic lineage brings to light—in favor of the faithful with these verses:

O venerable Virgin, Laudable Queen, Born of David's lineage, You are the proper gate of Heaven, For all who praise you with excellent prayers.4
