Panagia

Panagia is a Greek term meaning "All Holy" and is a common epithet for the Virgin Mary in Eastern Orthodox Christianity. It is used both as a title and as a name for the Mother of God. The term emphasizes her unique sanctity and her role as the Theotokos, the God-bearer. The term Panagia is often used in liturgical contexts and in prayers dedicated to her. There is also a specific type of icon of the Virgin Mary known as the Panagia, which depicts her in a particular posture, often with Christ Emmanuel in a medallion on her breast. This iconography symbolizes the Incarnation. The feast day of the Dormition of the Theotokos, which commemorates her passing from life and her bodily assumption into heaven, is a major celebration in Orthodox churches and is often referred to simply as the Panagia. In this context, it refers to the Virgin Mary herself and the events surrounding her departure from earthly life. The veneration of the Panagia is central to Orthodox piety, and she is seen as a powerful intercessor for believers.