| Greek
for "God-bearer," or "Mother of God," a title given to Mary, the mother
of Jesus. |
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Mary, Theotokos, the
"God-bearer"
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The term seems first
to have arisen among Alexandrian
theologians and may have been coined by Origen.
It was also used by Athanasius,
Cyril of Jerusalem, and the Cappadocian
Fathers. In theological controversy the term was emblematic
of affirmation of the divinity of Jesus Christ. Nestorius
rejected this term, preferring instead to call Mary Christotokos
or "Christ-bearer." Orthodox teachers insisted on Theotokos as
a proper title for Mary, and the use of this term was endorsed by two
ecumenical councils, including the Council
of Chalcedon (451).
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