“All-Holy” rings with reverence. That’s what Panagia means in Greek. Most Greek churches dedicated to the Virgin Mary are called Panagia. The standard western Christian designation of “St. Mary” is rarely used in the Orthodox East. Mary is considered the holiest of all created beings. Therefore, she is of higher status than the saints.
Welcome to Panagia Theotokos. We stand before a testament to faith. It’s a name resonating through centuries of Orthodox Christianity. Theotokos is another title of Mary, mother of God.
Panagia is more than just a name. It’s a concept, a feeling. It signifies the “All-Holy.” This title reflects the deep veneration for Mary within the Orthodox tradition. Churches bearing this name are dedicated to her. They acknowledge her unique place in religious history.
Panagia also refers to a specific icon. In it, the Theotokos faces the viewer directly. She is usually depicted full length with her hands in the orans position. She has a medallion showing the image of Christ as a child in front of her chest. This medallion symbolically represents Jesus within the womb of the Virgin Mary at the moment of the Incarnation.
This type of icon is also called the Platytéra. Platytéra means wider or more spacious. Containing the Creator of the Universe in her womb, Mary became Platytera ton ouranon. That means “more spacious than the Heavens.” This type is also sometimes called the Virgin of the Sign or Our Lady of the Sign. It is a reference to Isaiah.
Such an image is often placed on the inside of the apse. It rises directly over the altar of Orthodox churches. In contrast with standard religious mosaics which usually have gold backgrounds, the Platytera is often depicted on a dark blue background. Sometimes it is dotted with gold stars. This is a reference to the Heavens.
The letters ΜΡ ΘΥ are usually placed on the upper left and right of the halo of the Virgin Mary. They are short for ΜΗΤΗΡ ΘΕΟΥ. This translates to “Mother of God.”
A panagia is also an engolpion with an icon of the Theotokos. This is worn by an Orthodox bishop. They can be very simple or extremely elaborate. It depends on the personal taste of the particular bishop.
When an Orthodox bishop is vested for the Divine Liturgy, he wears a panagia and a pectoral cross over his other vestments. The primate of an autocephalous church, when fully vested, wears a panagia, a pectoral cross, and an engolpion of Jesus. Bishops of all ranks when not vested will usually wear the panagia alone over their riassa. This detail distinguishes a bishop from a priest or a monk.
Panagia may also refer to a prosphoron. It means “Bread of the All-Holy.” It is solemnly blessed in honor of the Theotokos during the Divine Liturgy.
From Panagia derive the common Greek given names Panagiota and Panagiotis. Both names signify that the person is named in honor of Mary, mother of Jesus.
Specific icons and churches of the Virgin Mary are often given particular names. They reflect certain theological aspects of Mary. They reflect certain standardized depictions in hagiography. They reflect peculiarities of the particular church or monastery.
So, as we stand before Panagia Theotokos, remember its layers of meaning. It is a title, an icon, a symbol. It is a testament to the enduring faith and artistic traditions of the Orthodox world.