The Titles of Mary

From the earliest theological reflections in Christian history we find the defense of the most important of the titles of Mary, "Theotokos" in Greek. It is translated God-bearer or "Mother of God". The great Bishop of Constantinople, St. John Chrysostom (d. 407), composed a Eucharistic Prayer for the Divine Liturgy (Holy Mass) still in use today:

"It is truly just to proclaim you blessed, O Mother of God, who are most blessed, all pure and Mother of our God. We magnify you who are more honorable than the Cherubim and incomparably more glorious than the Seraphim. You who, without losing your virginity, gave birth to the Word of God. You who are truly the Mother of God."

Objections to the term occurred early on in Christian history. In the fifth century another Bishop of Constantinople named Nestorius claimed that Mary was the mother only of the human Jesus to whom the divine Word of God was somehow joined. He and his supporters insisted that Mary was only the "mother of Christ." One sees the danger implicit in this objection. The errant Bishop carried through by claiming that only the human Jesus died on the mountain of Calvary. In short, he and his followers dis-Incarnated Jesus Christ.

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St. Cyril, the Bishop of Alexandria refuted Nestorius, asserting, "It was not that an ordinary man was born first of the Holy Virgin, on whom afterwards the Word descended; what we say is that, being united with the flesh from the womb, (the Word) has undergone birth in the flesh, making the birth in the flesh His own..."

On June 22, 431, the Council of Ephesus was convened. That great Council insisted "If anyone does not confess that the Emmanuel is truly God and therefore that the holy Virgin is the Mother of God "Theotokos" (since she begot according to the flesh the Word of God made flesh), anathema sit." The Council affirmed that Jesus Christ is One Person, with two natures--human and divine and that this is a union which cannot be separated.

The Council's affirmation that Mary can rightfully be called the Mother of God is thus profoundly "Christological", affirming who Jesus is and who we can become in Him. Mary is not Mother of God, the Father, or Mother of God, the Holy Spirit; rather, she is Mother of God, the Son--Jesus Christ.

The Incarnation is a "mystery", in the sense of the Greek word from which our English word is derived, "mysterion". It is incapable of being fully expressed in words but needs to be received as a gift in faith.

The tiles given to Mary have never been viewed as in any way diminishing the unique role of her Son and Savior Jesus Christ. They were the fruit of men and women who, inspired by the Spirit, were given profound insights into the meaning of Jesus Christ and the work of salvation.

Litany is a Greek word for prayer (Latin litania, letania, from the Greek lite, prayer or supplication). Among many Litanies or prayers which recount her titles we find the Litany of Loretto from 1558 in the Western Church:

CATARINO: Coronation of Mary - 1360s

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Madonna in the Church (detail) - Jan van Eyck - 1425

Below is a portion of the Litany of Loreto:

Holy Mary, pray for us.
Holy Mother of God,
Holy Virgin of virgins,
Mother of Christ,
Mother of the Church,
Mother of divine grace,
Mother most pure,
Mother most chaste,
Mother inviolate,
Mother undefiled,
Mother most amiable,

Mother most admirable,
Mother of good counsel,
Mother of our Creator,
Mother of our Savior,
Virgin most prudent,
Virgin most venerable,
Virgin most renowned,
Virgin most powerful,
Virgin most merciful,
Virgin most faithful,
Mirror of justice,
Seat of wisdom,
Cause of our joy,
Spiritual vessel,
Vessel of honor,
Singular vessel of devotion,
Mystical rose,
Tower of David,
Tower of ivory,
House of gold,
Ark of the covenant,
Gate of heaven,
Morning star,
Health of the sick,
Refuge of sinners,
Comforter of the afflicted,
Help of Christians,
Queen of angels,
Queen of patriarchs,
Queen of prophets,
Queen of apostles,
Queen of martyrs,
Queen of confessors,
Queen of virgins,
Queen of all saints,
Queen conceived without original sin,
Queen assumed into heaven,
Queen of the most holy Rosary,
Queen of families,
Queen of peace