By Fr. Jonathan H. Cholcher
This liturgical phrase occurs in the closing prayers of the services of sunset (Vespers) and early morning (Matins), and as a refrain in certain Canons (i.e., extended prayers based on nine Biblical songs). It is both a statement and a petition for the Virgin Mary to help us.
Consider that God is not the only subject of the verb to save. St. Paul writes: “I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some” (1 Cor. 9:22). To Timothy: “Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in so doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you” (1 Tim. 4:16). “Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins” (James 5:19-20).
The Apostle Paul, Bishop Timothy, and every Christian can save someone else by their participation in the work of salvation, bringing another to the Savior, Christ Jesus, and bringing Christ to them. In this very way, the Virgin Mary – above all others – saves. She gave birth to Jesus Christ, bringing the Savior into the world, and through her the people of the world are brought to Christ. “[Mary] will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins” (Matt. 1:21). The Virgin Mary said: “For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed. For He Who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name” (Luke 1:48-49).
The exclamation “Most holy Theotokos, save us” is frequently made before the Icon of the Virgin Mary holding Christ on every iconostasis (icon-screen) in Orthodox churches. This icon is just to the left (north) of the Holy Doors in the center of the iconostasis, always opposite the Icon of Christ to the right (south) of the Holy Doors showing Christ’s return in glory on the Last Day. Thus the exclamation “Most holy Theotokos, save us” is a confession of the Incarnation of the Son of God, His coming in the flesh being born of the Virgin Mary. Salvation is achieved only in Jesus Christ in the flesh: His birth, ministry, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension, and His mother, the Virgin Mary, is the precise instrument of our salvation in Christ. “She alone admits Christ into the world” (verse at Vespers and Matins for the Feast of the Birth of the Theotokos). Our prayers, our Christian life and worship, are defined by the Virgin Mary’s faith bringing Christ into our flesh and our like devotion to Christ in the hope of glory in Christ’s eternal kingdom.
Theotokos is a unique title given to the Virgin Mary; the Greek word literally means Birthgiver-of-God. “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One Who is born will be called the Son of God” (Luke 1:35). Elizabeth, the pregnant mother of John the Baptist, called Mary, also newly pregnant with Jesus Christ, “the mother of my Lord” (Luke 1:43). The Virgin Mary did not give birth to a mere human being; she gave birth to Jesus Christ Who is God in the flesh (John 1:14; Col. 2:9), both complete human and divine natures united in a single Person.
Because the Theotokos contained God – the Person of Jesus Christ, the Holy One – within her womb, she is called “Most holy,” literally, the “all-holy” (Gk., panagia), or “holiest place.” In the Israelite Tabernacle and Temple, the Holy of Holies (Holiest Place) designated that inner part of the structure containing the Ark of the Covenant upon which God would meet with His people and to which the High Priest was given access once a year on the Day of Atonement (Ex. 26:31-35; Lev. 16; Heb. 9:1-5). Now the Theotokos is the fulfillment of that arrangement personally becoming the true Ark and Most Holy Place of God.
No one is closer to God than the Virgin Mary who literally held God within her womb. In the language of the Church, He who the universe cannot contain was found contained within the Virgin’s womb, therefore, she is more spacious (Gk., platytera) than the heavens. Yet more than just being a passive vessel to fulfill God’s plan in the bare act of childbirth, the Virgin Mary is an active participant in that plan. She is the first and foremost Christian to be transformed in the faith and love of Christ; therefore, she is the supreme example of what it means to be a Christian, worshiping God, keeping His commandments, and praying for others.
After receiving the greeting of the archangel Gabriel, Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). All things the Virgin Mary experienced with her Son she “kept and pondered them in her heart” (Luke 2:19, 51). She directs the needy to Jesus with these words: “Whatever He says to you, do it” (John 2:5). From the Cross, Christ says to His mother and the disciple whom He loved, “Woman, behold your son!” and “Behold your mother!” (John 19:26-27), thus indicating that the Virgin Mary is the mother of all the disciples of Christ (see Rev. 12:17).
“Most holy Theotokos, save us,” is both a statement of fact (a confession of faith) and a petition for ongoing help. We receive help for salvation from the Virgin Mary both in following her example of becoming the Birthgiver-of-God and by her intercessions before Christ Jesus her Son, the Great High Priest (Heb. 4:14-16). As the foremost of the holy people of God, the Theotokos never ceases praying for our salvation and for the salvation of the world.
