Theotokos

Imagine a very special name for Jesus' mom, Mary! That name is Theotokos. It comes from an old language called Greek and means 'God-bearer'. It's like saying she carried God inside her when Jesus was growing in her tummy. This special title is used a lot in churches that are in places like Greece and Russia. It helps people remember how important Mary is as Jesus' mother.

The name Theotokos has been around for a super long time, even before your grandparents were born! People started using it over 1,700 years ago, way back in the 3rd century. That's older than many castles! It became super official in a big church meeting called the Council of Ephesus in the year 431. They decided Mary was truly the Theotokos because Jesus is both God and a person, all in one!

Calling Mary 'Theotokos' is a big deal because it tells us something amazing about Jesus. It means Jesus is not just a regular person, but also God! Mary is the mother of God himself. This title helps people understand that Jesus is special and divine. It's like a secret code that unlocks a deeper understanding of who Jesus is and why he came to Earth.

Sometimes, 'Theotokos' isn't just a name, but also a type of picture! These are special paintings called icons. They show Mary holding baby Jesus. These icons are like windows into heaven, reminding people of the love between a mother and her child, and the special connection between Mary and Jesus. Many of these icons are very old and are treasured in churches.