Theotokos · 1st century BC – 1st century AD
Mary
The Most Holy Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary
New Calendar August 15 Old Calendar August 28
Why they are a saint
Mary is the Mother of Jesus Christ, honored as All-Holy and Ever-Virgin, the Theotokos. The Church keeps her nativity, entrance into the Temple, annunciation, and falling asleep as great feasts. Orthodox Christians ask her prayers at every Liturgy because she bore God in the flesh, not as a baptismal namesake of some other kind. This row commemorates the Mother of God herself.
Patronage / why chosen as patron
Patron of the entire Church, mothers, the sick, those in danger, because of her own story as a parent recorded in her life.
Prayer
O holy Mary, pray to God for us.
A short general prayer to a saint, not a liturgical text. No public-domain troparion for this saint is included.