No. 139Christianity

The Virgin Mary

Θεοτόκος Μαρία

Theotokos, the God-bearer: mother of Jesus, intercessor and model of faith

Mary of Nazareth, a young Jewish woman of Galilee, is honoured by Christians as the mother of Jesus. Orthodox Christians call her Theotokos, the God-bearer, and Catholics invoke her under many titles, including Queen of Heaven. In the Gospel of Luke the angel Gabriel greets her, and she answers, in the King James wording, "be it unto me according to thy word."

Devotees turn to her as an intercessor and as a model of faith. She is honoured in Catholic, Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox and Anglican churches through feasts, icons and prayer. Muslims honour her as Maryam, and the Qur'an gives her a chapter of her own.

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The Virgin Mary

How to recognise The Virgin Mary

  1. Veil or maphorionHer hair is covered by a veil or mantle drawn over her head, called the maphorion in icons, a sign of modesty and devotion.
  2. Blue and red robesWestern art shows a blue mantle over a red, rose or white gown, while Orthodox icons show a deep red maphorion with a gold border over a blue tunic.
  3. Plain halo or twelve starsA simple round halo, never with a cross inside it because that belongs to Christ, or a circle of twelve stars marks her holiness.
  4. The ChildShe often holds the infant Jesus, who has his own cruciform halo and blesses with his right hand; she may point to him (Hodegetria) or hold him cheek to cheek (Eleousa).
  5. Three starsIn Orthodox icons one star sits on the forehead of her veil and one on each shoulder.
  6. Immaculate Conception typeA young girl in white with a blue mantle, hands joined in prayer, a crown or circle of twelve stars, standing on a crescent moon and sometimes a serpent, with no Child.
  7. Our Lady of GuadalupeA star-strewn blue-green mantle, a rose gown and golden rays surround her as she stands on a dark crescent moon held by an angel, in an image especially venerated in Mexico.

Names and titles

  • Mother of GodLitany of Loreto title; Greek Theotokos, mother of Jesus the Son of God
  • Seat of WisdomLitany of Loreto title; Mary as the throne holding Christ, Wisdom incarnate
  • Mystical RoseLitany of Loreto title honouring her beauty and holiness
  • Morning StarLitany of Loreto title; she heralds Christ as the morning star heralds day
  • Queen of PeaceLitany of Loreto title asking her prayers for peace

Feast days

  • Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God1 January, every year
  • Annunciation25 March, every year
  • Annunciation of the Lord5 April 2027
  • Assumption / Dormition of the Theotokos15 August, every year
  • Dormition of the Theotokos28 August, every year (date to be confirmed)
  • Immaculate Conception8 December, every year
  • Our Lady of Guadalupe12 December, every year

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Sources

  1. Wikipedia: Halo (religious iconography)
  2. Wikipedia: Hodegetria
  3. Russian Icon: Garments in Orthodox Icons of the Mother of God
  4. Aleteia: Why is the Blessed Virgin Mary always wearing blue?
  5. Christian Iconography: The Immaculate Conception
  6. New Liturgical Movement: The Iconography of the Immaculate Conception
  7. Catholic Education: The Tilma's Symbolism; Our Lady of Guadalupe parish: Our Lady's Image on the Tilma
  8. USCCB: 2027 Liturgical Calendar
  9. Aleteia: Looking for unique baby dolls that reflect your faith
  10. Heidelblog: The Reformed Confessions Reject Images of Jesus
  11. News4JAX: Orthodox Christmas, why it is celebrated by some believers 13 days after Dec. 25
  12. Qur'an, Sura 19 (Maryam); Council of Ephesus (431); Second Council of Nicaea (787)
  13. Vatican: Litany of Loreto

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