In Christian theology, a title for Mary, the mother of Jesus, meaning 'bearer of God' or 'the one who gave birth to God'.
From Greek 'Theos' (God) and 'para' (bearer), literally meaning 'God-bearer,' used in Christian tradition since early Church fathers.
Deipara is the theological term behind calling Mary the 'Mother of God'—a phrase that sounds strange until you understand it's really about the nature of Jesus's divinity.
Deipara (Mother of God) is a feminine-specific theological term from Greek theos (God) + para (bearing). It exclusively refers to Mary in Christian tradition, created when theology became Christologically defined; male figures are never described with parallel gendered-sacred language.
Use in theological contexts as a historical term, but pair with non-gendered alternatives like 'Theotokos' (standard Orthodox usage) or 'Mother of God' when gender-neutral framing is pedagogically appropriate.
["Theotokos","Mother of God","God-bearer"]
Women's theological authority was often expressed through motherhood language; Marian devotion gave medieval women mystics spiritual legitimacy when denied institutional clergy roles. Mary's title is a power structure, not merely honor.
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