Θεοτόκος
Theotokos
theh-oh-TOH-koss
Mary's title “Mother of God,” affirmed at the Council of Ephesus (431) — a statement about who Jesus is, not a claim that Mary is the source of his divinity.
God-bearer; the one who gave birth to God
In 431 the Council of Ephesus confirmed that Mary is rightly called Theotokos, “God-bearer,” against Nestorius, who was willing to call her only “Mother of Christ.” The point is Christological: the child Mary carried and bore is a single divine Person, the eternal Son. She is not the mother of his divine nature, which has no beginning, but she is truly the mother of the one who is God. The Catechism explains that Mary is Mother of God because she is the mother of the eternal Son of God made man, who is himself God. Eastern Christians honour her especially under this title.
Councils
Where the Church settled or debated this. Follow a council to read our article on it, or the decrees themselves.
- 431Council of Ephesusour article
Sources checked 29 September 2026