ABSTRACT
A s anyone who is familiar with the Orthodox Church and its worship will know, the Mother of God plays a prominent role in liturgy, festal celebrations, and private prayer. She is invoked at various important moments in the Divine Liturgy of St John Chrysostom, most significantly just after the consecration of the Eucharist, with the words:
It is truly right to call you blessed, who gave birth to God, ever-blessed and most pure, and Mother of our God. Greater in honour than the Cherubim and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, without corruption you gave birth to God the Word; truly Mother of God, we magnify you.
(Lash 2011)