Theotokion

A Theotokion (Greek: Θεοτοκίον; pl. Greek: Θεοτοκία, translit. Theotokia) is a hymn to Mary the Theotokos (Greek: Θεοτόκος, lit. 'God-bearer'), which is read or chanted (troparion or sticheron) during the Divine Services (Canonical hours and Divine Liturgy) of the Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholic churches.

After the defeat of Nestorianism at the First Council of Ephesus in 431, the use of theotokia during the course of the Divine Services gradually increased. The inclusion of Theotokia in every service is sometimes accredited to Peter the Fuller, the monophysite Patriarch of Antioch (471 - 488), an ardent opponent of Nestorianism.

Theotokia are almost part of every service in the Orthodox Church, but there are more specific forms among them. Theotokia often occur at the end of a series of troparia or stichera, usually after the verse: "(Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,) Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen."

A Stavrotheotokion is a hymn to the Theotokos that refers to the Crucifixion of Christ. The correlation between the Theotokos and the Cross is natural because of the Virgin Mary's standing by the Cross throughout the Passion. Stavrotheotokia occurs most commonly on Wednesdays and Fridays, days which are dedicated to the commemoration of the Cross.

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