Q&A Home > S > St. Mary

May I know if the Orthodox Church views St. Mary as co-redemptory?

St. Mary, the Ever-Virgin, Theotokos, is the Mother of God. She was born with original sin and needed salvation like all humanity, as she confirmed in her Magnificat, "And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior" (Luke 1:47). Only the Lord Jesus Christ has redemptive power and authority. St. Mary accepted her role in the fulfillment of God's plan of salvation, "Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her" (Luke 1:38). She is a co-servant with us, not co-redeemer with the Lord Christ. She could have refused this role because of its difficulty and hardship. It was not imposed upon her and she had the freedom to refuse. She submitted willingly and won God's heart by her purity and devotion to Him. Thus, He waited for her time to born of Her. St. Mary prays and intercedes for us and her prayers and intercessions are kindly attended to by the Lord. Only Christ Jesus shed His blood, died, and arose to save all humanity. The Lord Jesus Christ is the only Savior, Mediator, and Redeemer. "And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance" (Hebrews 9:15).