Full of Grace: The Orthodox Doctrine of the Theotokos

Who is the Virgin Mary, and why does the Orthodox Church honor her as the Theotokos-the Mother of God?

In Full of Grace, Bishop Stephen Victory presents a clear, reverent, and thoroughly Orthodox exploration of the Blessed Virgin Mary's place within the mystery of Christ and the life of the Church. Rooted in Holy Scripture, the writings of the Church Fathers, the Ecumenical Councils, and the Church's liturgical tradition, this volume explains why the Orthodox veneration of the Theotokos is not an optional devotion or a later addition to Christianity, but an essential consequence of the Church's confession that Jesus Christ is truly God made flesh.

Beginning with the biblical foundations of Marian doctrine, Full of Grace examines the Virgin Mary as the New Eve, the Ark of the New Covenant, the Mother of the Incarnate Word, and the foremost example of faithful obedience to God. Her words, "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word," reveal a life wholly surrendered to divine grace and provide a pattern of humility, purity, courage, and discipleship for every Christian.

The book carefully considers the Orthodox Church's teaching concerning Mary's divine maternity, perpetual virginity, holiness, intercession, and Dormition. It also explains the meaning of the title Theotokos and the decisive role this title played in defending the true doctrine of Christ at the Third Ecumenical Council. To call Mary the Mother of God is not to exaggerate her humanity, but to confess the identity of her Son: the eternal Word of God, who truly became man for our salvation.

Drawing upon the witness of such Fathers as St. Irenaeus of Lyons, St. Athanasius the Great, St. Cyril of Alexandria, St. Ephrem the Syrian, St. John of Damascus, and others, Bishop Stephen demonstrates that the Church's Marian faith is deeply Christological. Mary is never considered apart from Christ, nor is she honored in competition with Him. Everything the Church believes and proclaims concerning the Theotokos ultimately bears witness to the truth of the Incarnation.

Full of Grace also introduces readers to the Marian witness found in Orthodox worship. Through ancient hymns, prayers, feasts, and liturgical texts, the Church continually celebrates the Virgin as the one from whom Christ received His true humanity. The book explains why Orthodox Christians ask for her prayers, why sacred icons portray her with the Christ Child, and why generations of believers have addressed her as "more honorable than the Cherubim and more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim."

Written in an accessible yet theologically substantial manner, this book responds to common misunderstandings about Orthodox Marian devotion while avoiding sentimentality, exaggeration, and unnecessary controversy. Readers from Protestant, Anglican, Roman Catholic, and Orthodox backgrounds will find a thoughtful presentation of the historic Christian understanding of Mary-an understanding centered not upon human speculation, but upon the person and saving work of Jesus Christ.

Suitable for clergy, seminarians, catechumens, Bible study groups, and serious lay readers, Full of Grace offers both doctrinal instruction and spiritual reflection. It invites the reader not merely to understand what the Church teaches about the Theotokos, but also to contemplate her faithful response to God and to imitate her obedience.

In the Virgin Mary, the Church beholds what humanity may become when it receives the grace of God with humility and faith. She points always beyond herself to her divine Son and repeats, through her life and witness, the command she gave at Cana: "Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it."