Saints & the Theotokos
63 writings in Saints & the Theotokos. Clear
Saints & the Theotokos
What are the feasts of the Theotokos?
The Orthodox Church celebrates four major feasts of the Theotokos throughout the year: her Nativity (September 8), her Entrance into the Temple (November 21), the…
Saints & the Theotokos
What is ‘More honorable than the Cherubim’?
“More honorable than the Cherubim” is part of one of Orthodoxy’s most beloved hymns to the Virgin Mary. You’ll hear it at most Divine Liturgies,…
Saints & the Theotokos
What is the prayer ‘It is truly meet’?
“It is truly meet” is what we sing to honor the Theotokos during the Divine Liturgy. You’ll usually hear it right after the priest consecrates…
Saints & the Theotokos
What prayers are addressed to the Theotokos?
Orthodox Christians pray to the Theotokos constantly. You’ll hear her name in almost every service, and most Orthodox keep a few short prayers to her…
Saints & the Theotokos
Why do Orthodox honor Mary so highly?
Because she’s the Mother of God. That’s not hyperbole or pious exaggeration. It’s what we actually believe happened in Nazareth two thousand years ago. When…
Saints & the Theotokos
Who are the saints?
The saints are Christians who’ve died and are now alive with Christ in heaven. That’s it. They’re not a separate category of super-believers. They’re members…
Saints & the Theotokos
Why do Orthodox Christians honor the saints?
We honor the saints because they’re alive in Christ and still part of the Church. Death doesn’t end membership in the Body of Christ. It…
Saints & the Theotokos
Isn’t praying to saints wrong?
We’re not praying to saints. We’re asking them to pray for us. The language trips people up, so it needs explaining. When you ask your…
Saints & the Theotokos
What is the difference between praying to saints and worshipping them?
We don’t worship saints. We ask their prayers, and there’s a difference. When you walk into an Orthodox church and see someone light a candle…
Saints & the Theotokos
How do Orthodox understand intercession of the saints?
We ask the saints to pray for us because they’re alive in Christ. Death doesn’t end the communion of the Church. When we ask St.…
Saints & the Theotokos
Are the saints really able to hear our prayers?
Yes. The saints are alive in Christ, and by God’s grace they can hear our prayers and intercede for us before the throne of God.…
Saints & the Theotokos
What does the Bible say about the saints?
The Bible calls God’s people “saints.” It means more than most folks around here expect. When St. Paul writes to the Christians in Rome, he…
