A Theotokion (;
pl. ) is a
hymn to Mary the
Theotokos (), which is read or chanted (
troparion or
sticheron) during the
canonical hours and
Divine Liturgy of the
Eastern Orthodox
Eastern Orthodoxy, otherwise known as Eastern Orthodox Christianity or Byzantine Christianity, is one of the three main Branches of Christianity, branches of Chalcedonian Christianity, alongside Catholic Church, Catholicism and Protestantism ...
and
Eastern Catholic churches, as well as in the praises of the
Oriental Orthodox churches.
After the condemnation 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,
Patriarch of Antioch
The Patriarch of Antioch is a traditional title held by the bishop of Antioch (modern-day Antakya, Turkey). As the traditional "overseer" (, , from which the word ''bishop'' is derived) of the first gentile Christian community, the position has ...
(471 - 488), a non-Chalcedonian and 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 occur most commonly on Wednesdays and Fridays, days which are dedicated to the commemoration of the Cross.
The theotokion that occurs at the end of "Lord, I Have Cried" at
Vespers on Saturdays is called a Dogmaticon, because its text deals with the mystery of the
Incarnation of Christ. The
Little Entrance during Vespers is accompanied by the Dogmaticon as a processional
troparion. The Dogmaticon is often chanted in a solemn manner, and while the choir is singing it the Deacon or Priest will
cense the
icon of the Theotokos on the
Iconostasis. A Little Entrance is also made during the
Divine Liturgy while the choir chants the theotokion that ends the
Beatitudes
The Beatitudes () are blessings recounted by Jesus in Matthew 5:3–10 within the Sermon on the Mount in the Gospel of Matthew, and four in the Sermon on the Plain in the Gospel of Luke, followed by four woes which mirror the blessings.
In ...
.
Theotokia of all types are found in the
Horologion,
Octoechos,
Triodion,
Pentecostarion and other
liturgical books.
The longest and most popular devotion involving Theotokia is the
Akathist to the Theotokos. This is solemnly chanted on the Fifth Saturday of
Great Lent, and many other times during the year as both public and private devotions.
Theotokarion
Theotokarion (, , , ) is a book or collection of Eastern Orthodox hymns to Mary (''theotokion'').
*Theotokarion of
Saint Nectarios
*Theotokarion of
Saint Nicodemus
*Theotokarion of
Saint Nicodemus (1849)
*Noul Theotokarion
*Bodleian Theotokarion
*Theotokarion hÅraiotaton kai charmosynon (1688)
*Eustratiades Theotokarion
*Church Slavonic Theotokarion, 15th century, in Hilandar
*Church Slavonic Theotokarion, 16th century, in Kosovo
*Church Slavonic Theotokarion, 17th century, in Hilandar
[
* Dobrilovina Theotokarion, 1602]
See also
* Hymns to Mary
* Kontakion
* Sticheron
* Troparion
References
{{Marian hymns
Genres of Byzantine music
Liturgy of the Hours
Eastern Orthodox liturgical music
Byzantine Rite
Marian hymns
Eastern Christian hymns