As with most people who become celebrities, regions in the Holy Land connected to Jesus’ life soon became places of pilgrimage: His birthplace, where He grew up, walked, preached, was baptized, performed miracles, was crucified, Resurrected, etc. And in time, these locations became places of worship with churches constructed atop them.
Yet, even before places, people associated with our Lord also became of popular interest, notoriety, and veneration – especially His Mother, Mary. And the Church even gave Her an exalted title: Theotokos, meaning “bearer” or “birth-giver” of God.
We can not pinpoint exactly when this title was given, but we do know that Origen was already using it during the Third Century, and that St. Athanasius of Alexandria, Gregory the Theologian, and St. John Chrysostom were all incorporating the term in their preaching and writings during the Fourth.
However, given various disputes and erroneous misunderstandings and/or heresies, the Third Ecumenical Council held in Ephesus in 341 made the proclamation to uphold Mary’s title as Theotokos.
Fr. John
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