The Bible nowhere uses the expression “Mother of God.” But Mary is clearly identified as the “mother of Jesus” (cf. Mt. 2:13, 20; Lk. 1:31; 2:34; Acts 1:14) and mother of the Son of God (cf. Lk. 1:35; Gal. 4:4). Even before the birth of Jesus, Elizabeth proclaims that Mary is “the mother of my Lord” (Lk. 1:43; cf. Catechism, no. 495). Clearly, Mary is identified throughout the New Testament as the mother of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
In his encyclical letter "On the 1500th Anniversary of the Council of Ephesus" (Lux Veritatis, 1931), Pope Pius XI traces the events leading up to the decisions of this ecumenical council.
The Barsk Icon of the Most Holy Mother of God is an ancient icon of Byzantine origin from the Barsk monastery in the Podosk diocese. The icon was historically venerated as holy by both Orthodox and Catholics. The solemn celebration was established in 1887.
The Yaroslav-Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God was the cell icon of the archimandrite of the Trinity-St Sergius Lavra, Anthony. On October 12, 1642 while he was praying, he heard a voice from the Smolensk Hodēgḗtria (Directress) icon saying, “Go, go to the limits of the city of Yaroslavl,…
October 1 commemorates the transfer of the Terebovlya Icon of the Mother of God from the town of Terebovlya to Lvov in 1672. This icon of the Most Holy Theotokos originally appeared in the principality of Galich during the time of the Terebovlya princes, in the thirteenth, or perhaps as early as…. Read More.
The Kasperov Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos during the Crimean War of 1853-1855 defended the city of Odessa against an incursion of hostile forces. Archbishop Innocent (Borisov) directed “that this event should not be forgotten in the teaching of posterity,” and should be commemorated…
In the XIII century, there was a certain Elder who spent his life in ascetical struggles on Mount Athos. He had the pious custom of reading the Akathist Hymn before the Icon of the Mother of God every day. One day, while reading the Akathist, and silently repeating the word "rejoice," the Elder…. Read More. October 12.
The Icon “O All-Hymned Mother” derives its title from the thirteenth Kontakion of the Akathist to the Most Holy Theotokos. “O All-Hymned Mother who bore the Word, holiest of all the saints....” The Mother of God wears a crown, and clasps Her child to Her breast with both…
Commemoration of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God and the deliverance from the Poles. The Commemoration of the Deliverance of Moscow From the Poles by the Kazan Icon was established in gratitude for the deliverance of Moscow and all Russia from the incursion of the Polish in 1612.