:3. The '''[[Annunciation|Annunciation to the Theotokos]]''' is celebrated on [[March 25]].

:4. The '''[[Dormition|Dormition of the Theotokos]]''' (Falling Asleep) of the Theotokos is celebrated on [[August 15]].

the title '''Theotokos''(in Greek, Theta;εοτοκος) is a Greek word that means "God-bearer" or "Birth-giver to God."

==The title ''Theotokos''==

1. '''Adoption at the Third Ecumenical Council'''

As a title for the Virgin Mary, ''Theotokos'' was recognized by the [[Orthodox Church]] at [[Third Ecumenical Council]] held at Ephesus in 431. It had already been in use for some time in the devotional and liturgical life of the Church. The [[theology|theological]] significance of the title is to emphasize that Mary's son, Jesus, is fully God, as well as fully human, and that Jesus' two natures (divine and human) were united in a single [[Hypostasis|Person]] of the [[Trinity]]. The competing view at that council was that Mary should be called '''''Christotokos''''' instead, meaning "Birth-giver to Christ." This was the view advocated by [[Nestorius]], then [[Patriarch of Constantinople]]. The intent behind calling her ''Christotokos'' was to restrict her role to be only the mother of "Christ's humanity" and not his divine nature.

==Hymns to the Theotokos==

From the [[Divine Liturgy]] of St. [[John Chrysostom]]:

:It is truly meet and right to bless you, O Theotokos,