How Do You Spell THEOTOKOS?

Pronunciation: [θiːətˈə͡ʊkə͡ʊz] (IPA)

The word "theotokos" is a Greek term used to refer to the Virgin Mary as the "Mother of God." It is spelled as [θeotokós] in the International Phonetic Alphabet. The letter theta ([θ]) represents the voiceless dental fricative sound, while the letter eta ([e]) represents the long "e" sound. The letter "o" is pronounced as "oh," and the letter "k" is pronounced as "kappa." The final "s" is pronounced as "s" and not "z." The spelling might seem daunting, but it accurately represents the sounds in the Greek language.

Meaning and Definition
Etymology
Basic Check Advanced Check

THEOTOKOS Meaning and Definition

  1. Theotokos is a Greek term that literally translates to "God-bearer" or "birth-giver of God". It is a title and a concept within the Christian faith attributed to the Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus Christ. This term has been predominantly used within the Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox traditions of Christianity.

    The term theotokos holds great theological significance, representing the belief that Mary gave birth to the Son of God, Jesus Christ, thereby establishing a unique role for her in salvation history. The title emphasizes the divine nature of Jesus, affirming his dual nature as both fully divine and fully human.

    The recognition of Mary as theotokos emerged as an important point of theological discussion and clarification during the early centuries of Christianity, particularly in response to debates about the nature of Christ. The Council of Ephesus in 431 AD officially declared Mary as theotokos, affirming her indispensable role in the Incarnation and acknowledging the importance of recognizing Jesus as both fully God and fully human.

    Through the title of theotokos, Mary is honored and venerated as the chosen vessel through which God entered the world as a human being. The concept emphasizes her unique and central role in the story of salvation, highlighting her faithfulness, purity, and obedience to God's will. The title theotokos is a testament to the high esteem and reverence that Christians hold for the Virgin Mary.

Etymology of THEOTOKOS

The word "Theotokos" is derived from the Greek language. It is a compound word consisting of "Theos" (θεός), which means "God", and "tokos" (τόκος), which means "one who gives birth" or "mother". Hence, "Theotokos" can be translated as "God-bearer", "Birth-giver of God", or "Mother of God".

This term gained significant theological significance within Christianity, particularly in reference to the Virgin Mary's role as the mother of Jesus Christ. The term was first used in the 3rd century, and it was officially affirmed during the Council of Ephesus in 431 AD.