Icon of Theotokos: A Chronicle of Its History and Profound Meaning

For centuries, the icon of Theotokos has stirred the hearts of millions, inspiring awe and reflection. But what makes this icon significant? Why does it hold such profound meaning in the Christian world today?

Is it its beauty or there's more than meets the eye?

The icon of Theotokos is a sacred image that encapsulates centuries of faith, devotion, and theological debate. This article will discuss the meaning of Theotokos and why it holds importance in the Christian faith.

The Significance of "Theotokos" in Christian Tradition

Theotokos is a Greek word for God-bearer or the Mother of God. It comes from the root words "Theos" which means God and " Tiktein" which means to give birth. This name was given to Mary in 431 AD by a church council and below are the reasons why it is significant in Christian tradition.

Affirmation of the Incarnation

The title Theotokos serves a crucial role in affirming the doctrine of Incarnation, one of the central tenets of the Catholic church. The doctrine of Incarnation asserts that our Lord Jesus Christ is both human and divine ( man and God). The Nestorians argued that Jesus was born a human who later became God. However, this view contradicts the Orthodox beliefs because Joseph and Mary had no sexual interaction before the birth of Jesus Christ, hence he was never born human. So when we call Mary the Theotokos, it's a reminder that she gave birth to Jesus Christ, a human and God incarnate from the beginning.

Prevent Heresy

The title Theotokos was officially sanctioned during the Ecumenical Council of Ephesus in 431 AD. This marked a defining moment in Christian theology, putting an end to the debate and teachings of Nestorius, the Patriarch of Constantinople, who argued that Mary should be called Christotokos ( Mother of Christ ) and not Theotokos(God-bearer).

Although his intention was noble to prevent Christians from believing that they could give birth to God, it was theologically incorrect. St Cyril, the Bishop of Alexandria, became his opponent and argued that Christ born as God and man is essential for the salvation of humanity.

He went on to send letters to bishops to explain his view and gather support. At the council of Ephesus, Cyril's arguments were endorsed and Nestorius' teachings were tagged heretic. Thus, the Theotokos was reaffirmed and prevented heresy from growing among the early church fathers, as some of the disciples of Nestorius were teaching and spreading this heretical view, one notable disciple, that this teaching influenced was Theodore of Mopsuestia, the Bishop of Mopsuestia. While we can't give birth to God, Mary did, and believing the hypostatic union makes our salvation complete.

Spiritual Significance

Because she gave birth to God incarnate, she was given a special place in God's presence where she intercedes for us. Believing that as she said yes and responded to the need of God in the Annunciation, she continues to care and respond to the needs of the believers. Also, many representations of Theotokos showed Mary's protective role as a mother. So, it is believed that she provides assistance, comfort, and protection to those who seek her. This belief is reflected in hymns such as the Akathist and Paraklesis.

Model of Faith and Trust

Mary accepted the role of the Theotokos without grasping the bigger picture. In the Mosaic law, a woman who gets pregnant when betrothed to a man will be charged with adultery and stoned to death. Mary understood the risk yet still wanted to do God's will. When we celebrate the feast of Theotokos, it's a reminder that we should have unwavering faith and trust God in difficult times and walk always by faith and not by sight as Apostle Paul in 2 Cor 5:7 admonishes us.

Unity of Faith

The title Theotokos serves as a uniting factor for all Christian churches globally. Despite differences in church doctrines and liturgies, we all believe that Mary gave birth to a child who had a divine and human nature. This fosters communion among believers globally.

The Theotokos Icon Throughout History

The Theotokos icon, are painting depicting the Virgin Mary with the Christ Child. They have a rich and varied history throughout the Christian world. It reflects deep theological, cultural, and historical significance, particularly in the Eastern Orthodox tradition. Here's an overview of its history, along with notable examples that have shaped the Christian understanding of Mary's role in salvation.

Theotokos Hodegetria

The Theotokos Hodegetria was a painting that showed Mary pointing to Jesus with her right hand. This action is to direct viewers to see Christ as the source of salvation. It's believed that this icon was painted by St Luke, the author of Luke and Acts. Hodegetria is a Greek word for "show the way." It was kept in the Hodegon Monastery in Constantinople and later became a revered icon in the Byzantine Empire.

Virgin of Vladimir

This icon is one of the most famous in Russia. It is believed to have been painted by Saint Luke. In this icon, Mary was depicted holding Christ in a loving tender embrace with their cheeks touching, which showed divine love and maternal connection. The icon was brought from Constantinople to Russia when the Russian Rulers converted to Christianity and looked to the Byzantine Empire for religious inspiration.

The Virgin of Vladimir was credited to have saved Moscow serially from attack, most notable was from the Mongol-Tatar forces in 1395 and Khan Ahmed in 1480. The Virgin of Vladimir provided safety to the Russians when they needed it.

Theotokos of the Sign

The Theotokos of the Sign is a type of Eastern Orthodox icon that shows the Virgin Mary with her hands raised in prayer (in the Orans posture) and the Christ Child shown in a medallion on her chest. It is called Theotokos of the Sign because of its connection with a prophecy from the Book of Isaiah (7:14), which says, Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

The picture of Christ on the Virgin Mary's chest is seen as the fulfillment of this prophecy of Incarnation - God becoming a man in the person of Jesus Christ.

It is also believed that it provides protection. During a siege in Novgorod, Russia, the people placed this icon on the city wall. The attackers shot it with an arrow. But when the arrows hit the icon, the attackers immediately turned back and left and this led to the widespread veneration of the Theotokos of the sign as a protector and intercessor for the faithful.

Theotokos of Tikhvin

The Theotokos of Tikhvin is one of the most venerated icons in Russian Orthodoxy. It is also believed to have been painted by Saint Luke. In the icon, Mary sits forward and holds Christ with her left arm and Jesus raises his right hand to give a blessing. The icon is similar to the Hodegetria, showing her role as a guide to salvation. Theotokos of Tikhvin is seen as a protector of the Russians.

In the 14th century, this icon was said to have appeared near Lake Ladoga and it floated above the water in River Tikhvin and settled in the location where Tikhvin Assumption Monastery was established in 1560. Later on, this settlement became a destination for pilgrimages and those seeking healing and blessings.

In the 17th century, it was credited with having saved the Russians from the Swedish forces who tried to capture the Tikhvin Monastery. During World War II, it was evacuated by the Russian Orthodox Church to protect it from the advancing German forces. The Russian émigré community took it to the United States under the care of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia (ROCOR) but was returned in 2004 to the Tikhvin Assumption Monastery, its rightful home. At Othordoxdeport, we call this Theotokos icon; The Saver of Souls because of the testimonies. It's still in stock and will be a great purchase.

Interpreting the Profound Meaning Behind "Theotokos"

The Theotokos has two primary meanings.

1. Affirmation of Christ's Dual Nature: it laid to rest the theological debate of Christos doctrine and affirmed that Jesus Christ was both divine and human, which is a blessing to the believers as it allows us to relate with Christ at our human level. Heb 4:15

Our High Priest is not one who does not feel sympathy for our weaknesses. We have a High Priest who was tempted in every way that we are, but did not sin ( GNT)

And also to enjoy redemption that comes from the forgiveness of sin, when we pray Jesus' prayer because He is God.

2 Depicting Mary as the New Eve: Mary is often compared to Eve. We fell into bondage with the devil because of Eve's disobedience but Mary's obedience to God's plan and purpose for her brought salvation to humanity. So the Theotokos reinforces Mary's role in the redemption of humanity and undoing the harm done by Eve.

Depicting the Virgin Mary's Title

The Virgin Mary is depicted with different titles each representing her different roles and importance. They include.

Queen of Heaven: This title shows Mary in heaven. She's often depicted with a crown and sitting on a throne, sometimes with angels around her. This is because she's the mother of the King of Kings.

Madonna and Child: One of the most common images, this shows Mary holding the infant Jesus. It shows the mother of Christ and the bond they share as a mother and child.

Our Lady of Sorrows: This title reflected Mary's suffering and sorrow, especially during the Passion of Christ. She's depicted with seven swords in her heart, signifying the seven sorrows she endured.

Theotokos (God-bearer): As I mentioned earlier, this title means Mary gave birth to God incarnate. Icons of the Theotokos often show her with the Christ Child.

 Our Lady of Guadalupe: This title is from the apparition of Mary to Juan Diego in Mexico in 1531. The image shows Mary standing on a crescent moon, surrounded by rays of light and is the symbol of her protection and care for the people of the Americas.

 Our Lady of Lourdes: This title is from the apparitions of Mary to Saint Bernadette Soubirous in Lourdes, France, in 1858. Mary is depicted as a young woman in white, often with a blue sash, symbolizing purity and grace.

FAQ:

Where can I buy the Theotokos icon?

You can buy your Theotokos icons from Orthodox Depot. Our Theotokos icons are made from premium materials and carefully selected to enrich your spiritual life. Aside from the Theotokos icons we mentioned, there are other icons you should consider as they also strengthen you in your faith walk with God.