Theotokos

Theotokos (/ˌθiːəˈtoʊkoʊs, ˌθeɪə-, -ˈtɒ-, -kəs/;Greek: Θεοτόκος, transliterated (Greek) Theotókos, translation (Syriac-Aramaic): ܝܳܠܕܰܬ ܐܰܠܳܗܳܐ‎, transliterated (Syriac): Yoldath Alloho) is the Greek title of Mary, the mother of Jesus used especially in the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, and Eastern Catholic Churches. Its literal English translations include "God-bearer", "Birth-Giver of God" and "the one who gives birth to God." Less accurate translations include the primarily Western title "Mother of God" (Latin: Mater Dei).

The ancient use of this term is emphasised in Churches of the Syriac Tradition, which have been using this title in their ancient liturgies for centuries: the Anaphora of Mari and Addai (3rd Century), and the Liturgy of St James the Just (4th Century). The Council of Ephesus decreed in 431 that Mary is Theotokos because her son Jesus is both God and man: one Divine Person with two natures (Divine and human) intimately, hypostatically united.

Roman Catholics and Anglicans use the title "Mother of God" more often than "Theotokos". Lutherans also venerated and honored Mary as "Mother of God" as expressed by its founder, Martin Luther; the title was officially confessed in their Formula of Concord, accepted by Lutheran World Federation.