Word of the Day: Theotokos
September 10, 2010 by Elizabeth Scalia
THEOTOKOS: (Greek: Θεοτόκος “God-bearer” or “Birth-giver to God.” )
A compound of two Greek words, Θεός God and τόκος childbirth, often paraphrased to “Mother of God,” particularly in the Latin church and in the mainstream. In the Greek and Eastern Orthodox Churches, the formal name of the Virgin Mary, the Mother of Christ. The Council of Ephesus decreed in 431 that Mary is Theotokos because her son Jesus is one person who is both God and man, divine and human.
It is truly meet to bless you, O Theotokos, who are ever blessed and all-blameless, and the mother of our God. More honourable than the Cherubim, and more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim, you who without stain barest God the Word, and are truly Theotokos: we magnify you.
— Hymn to the Theotokos, from the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom
Posted in Bloggers
Tagged Ephesus, Hymn, Mary, Orthodox, Word of the Day
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