The Place of the Holy Theodokos in Orthodox Tradition
0 Comments Published by georgy on Tuesday, October 9, 2007 at 12:10 AM.
St.Mary is the primary witness to the fact of incarnation. Her role in the growth of the Church is unique. She is called the “Mother of God” or Theodokos. Heretics like Nestorius insisted to call her by the name Christotokos giving only a lower view of the divinity of Christ. Against heretics, the genuine tradition of the Church proclaims the title “Mother of God”. The Orthodox Church reckons St.Mary as the intercessor having a place above the Apostles. St.Mary is the model for humility, obedience and faith. Through St.Mary we know how to love God, praise God and live a life of holiness and purity. St.Mary is not considered Co-Redeemtrix with Christ in the Orthodox Christian tradition. The prayer “Hail Mary Full of Grace….” is biblical. It was Angel Gabriel who said the prayer “Hail Mary full of Grace, Our Lord is with Thee” (Luke 1:28). The words “Blessed are Thou among women and blessed is the fruit of Thy womb” were words said by Elizabeth (Luke 1:24). Hence these words are quotations from the Holy Bible. The rest is only a request to St.Mary to pray for us. Requesting others to intercede for us is Biblical. Hence the whole prayer is biblical. St.Mary was virgin and continued to be Virgin. She is virgin eternally. Isaiah 7:14 reads as follows: “Behold a Virgin shall conceive”. These words are considered by the Church as Messianic Prophecy. The Hebrew word used for Virgin in Isaiah 7:14 is “Almah” which means “Virgin and engaged. In Hebrew Language “Betulah” is the word for a Virgin who is not engaged. The word for a married lady is “Issa”. Hence the Church proclaims that St.Mary is eternally Virgin. The sealed Eastern Gate mentioned in Ezekiel 44:1-2 points to the eternal virginity of St.Mary. “Then he brought me back the way of the Gate of the outward sanctuary which looketh towards the East; and it was shut. Then said the Lord unto me: This Gate shall be shut, it shall not be opened and no men shall enter it by it, because the Lord the God of Israel hath entered in by it, therefore it shall be shut. Verses like Jn 2:3-5 and 19: 26- 27 prove the respectful relation of Jesus to Mary, the Mother of God. St.Mary did everything according to the ‘Law of Moses’. The parents of Mary were Euakim and Hannah. Mary was born as the result of prayers and offerings. She was born as the result of prayers and supplications of her parents. While staying in her home at Nazareth after the engagement with Joseph, she was told by the Angel about the divine plan of Incarnation of the Savior (Luke 1:26). Her response was so humble: “I am the servant of the Lord, Let it happen as per the word of the God”. (Luke 1:38). The magnificent in Luke 1:46-55 shows the courage, wisdom, sanctity and social concern of St.Mary. It reflects deep spiritual insight to humanity. The part of St.Mary in the ministry of Jesus is explained mainly in the following verses- (John 2:1-11, Luke 8:19-21, Mark 3: 31-35, Luke 11:27, John 19:25-27, Acts 1:14, Luke 1:30). The Holy Church Fathers points out many Old Test indications for St.Mary. The burning bush (Ex 3:2).The fleece of wool in Gideon’s story (Judges 6:36), the ram thicket by his horns (Gen 22:13), Ezekiel’s vision of God’s glory by the appearance of fire (Ezekiel 1:1), the vessel of Aron (Num 17:8) are some of the examples. The Shekina and the golden lamp-stand are also mentioned by the Holy Church Fathers as indicatives for St.Mary. Traditionally the Church celebrates the feast of the bodily departure of St.Mary on August 15th and she is considered to be the holiest and greatest saints of all time.
Very Rev. Geevarghese Chor Bishop
Vicar – St.Thomas Indian Orthodox Cathedral (Under Catholicate of the all East)
Karthigappally P.O.
Alappuzha District
Kerala - India
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