July 03, 2006, 11:09
zmježdThe Dormition of Theotokos
I was browsing the Wikipedia when I ran across this term,
The Dormition of Theotokos, in the article on the
Assumption of (the Virgin) Mary (a dogma of the Roman Catholic Church and a popular subject for religious paintings at one time). Where to start such a lovely lot of words: (1) Greek
Theotokos. literally 'the childbirth, parturation of god', and an Orthodox synonym for Mary; (2)
dormition, literally 'a falling asleep' here a euphemism for 'death' (a Latin calque of Greek
koimisis, related with English
cemetary); (3)
assumption 'reception'; bonus words,
Great Paraklesis and
Small Paraklesis, from Greek παρακλησις (
paraklēsis) 'summons; invocation; demand; exhortation; supplication'.
July 04, 2006, 03:03
arnieWow!
As you say, a lovely lot of words.
Dormition I particularly like; it rolls off the tongue wonderfully.
July 05, 2006, 20:33
KallehSo
Theotokos means the "parturition of God?" That seems quite specific. That's an English word?
July 06, 2006, 01:37
arniequote:
That's an English word?
Here we go again on the definition of what is a word.

It's a Greek word that has been used in English, so you could argue that it is an English word. Alternatively you could argue that it's not. You pays your money and you takes your choice...
July 06, 2006, 05:02
zmježd That's an English word?I'm sure there are Greek Orthodox folks who use it in conversation in English. Two hints that we're dealing with English here is that Greek speakers wouldn't say dormition, and wouldn't use the English preposition
of (they would probably use the genitive case: κοιμεσις θεοτοκου (
koimesis theotokou)). That's Classical Greek; not sure what it'd be in either of the two modern Greeks. (I wonder if Metamuse'll stop by some day?)