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Theotokos – Mary Mother of God
The Orthodox Church users the Greek term Theotokos, meaning Mother of God. Mary is also referred to as the Ever Virgin Mary; this is due to the writings in the four Gospels and in the writings of St. James. We Know from St. James' account that Mary was the child of Joachim and Anna. Joachim and Anna were "elderly" and childless. In the Hebrew Tradition, to be childless was to be cursed by God; also it was a belief of the times that eternal life was achieved through your children and your generations. Because of being childless Joachim had been turned away from his offerings at the Temple, which were quite considerable, since Joachim and Anna divided all they had into three portions the largest going to the Temple. The second largest going to the poor, and the last, which was quite small, is what they used to provide for themselves. Both Joachim and Anna prayed to God for a child, even promising to give the child back to God in His service. God answered their prayers. They were both visited by the Archangel Gabriel, who announced that they would bear a daughter who would bring forth the salvation of the world, and that they shall name her Mary.Anna discovered that she was already with child and nine months later Anna delivered of a female child whom they named Mary. |
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Mary lived with
her parents until she was 3 years old when Joachim and Anna true to
their word to God traveled to Jerusalem to present her in the Temple,
where they left her to live and work in the service of God.
Mary lived in the Temple committing her life to God until the age
of 12 when she could no longer live in the Temple, the Priests arranged
to have her betrothed onto a widower, which was the practice of their
time, to be protected so that she would remain a virgin to do the Temple
work. At
age 16 Mary was visited by the Archangel Gabriel with the joyful
announcement that she was chosen to bear the Christ. 28
And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly
favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women"
(Luke 1:28) 35 And the angel said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. (Luke 1:35) Joseph whom Mary was betrothed to was understandably disconcerted when he found out that the "temple maiden" whom he was suppose to protect, was with child. He feared that when the people also found out that she would be stoned, therefore the decision he made to "divorce her quietly". 19 and her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. (Matt. 1:19) Before he could carry this out though, Gabriel appeared unto Joseph to announce the good news to him of his betrothed: 20 But as he considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit; 21 she will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." (Matt. 1:20-21) Mary the ever-faithful servant of God gave of herself wholly to God without question without regard for her life. 38 And Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her. (Luke 1:38) For this we give her high esteem, and consider her the whole of humanity. According to the Ecumenical Councils she is to be called Theotokos, (meaning Mother of God), ever blessed, and ever virgin. This is the true theology handed down from the Apostles concerning the Theotokos. May we pray that in the hour of our calling we like the Theotokos answer the lord in like fashion: "Let it be to me according to your word." |
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