Theotokos

The Holy Virgin Mary is properly called in Orthodox worship the Theotokos. This Greek word means “she who gave birth to God.” This title preserves the apostolic teaching of the Church that Christ Jesus is God Himself incarnate in human flesh and blood. For this reason, she is depicted in icons prominently, so that we might be ever mindful of her obedience, who said, “Let it be unto me according to Thy will.” (Luke 1:38)

For Orthodox Christians the Theotokos is the symbol of the Church itself, whose members consider the body the “temple of the Holy Spirit,” just as she became the Temple of the Holy Spirit and Throne of Christ the King. At the Feast of the Annunciation and throughout the year we commemorate her obedience and the incarnation of the Son of God, and the faithful venerate her icon lovingly and with grateful hearts.