Is Mary the Queen of Heaven?

The title "Queen of Heaven" as applied to the Theotokos (Mother of God) in Orthodox and Catholic tradition is rooted in Christian theology and is fundamentally different from its use in pagan religions. While it is true that the title "Queen of Heaven" was used in ancient times to refer to various pagan goddesses, its Christian usage is entirely separate and is based on the role of the Virgin Mary in salvation history.

In Orthodox Christianity, Mary is venerated as the Theotokos, meaning "God-Bearer" or "Mother of God." This title emphasizes her unique role in the Incarnation, as the one who gave birth to Jesus Christ, the Son of God. The honor given to Mary is always in relation to her role in God’s plan of salvation and her relationship to Christ. She is honored not as a goddess, but as the most exalted of all human beings due to her unique role.

The title "Queen of Heaven" is used in a Christological context, reflecting Mary's role as the mother of the King of Kings. In ancient Israel, the mother of the king held a special position of honor, often referred to as the queen mother (e.g., Bathsheba, the mother of Solomon). In this way, Mary is honored as the Queen of Heaven because she is the mother of Jesus Christ, the eternal King.

The title does not imply divinity but rather points to her unique and exalted position within the Kingdom of God. It is a title of respect and honor, recognizing her as the foremost of all the saints.

The Orthodox Church is careful to distinguish between Christian veneration and pagan worship. Veneration of Mary and the saints is entirely different from the worship due to God alone. Worship (latreia) is given only to God, while veneration (douleia) is given to the saints. Hyperdouleia, a special form of veneration, is given to Mary due to her unique role, but this is still distinct from worship.

The Orthodox understanding of Mary as "Queen of Heaven" has nothing to do with the pagan practice of worshiping goddesses. Instead, it is rooted in the recognition of her unique role in the divine plan and her closeness to Christ.

The imagery of Mary as Queen is also found in Scripture, particularly in the vision of the woman clothed with the sun in Revelation 12:1, who is often interpreted by the Church Fathers as representing Mary. This imagery is further supported by the Church's liturgical tradition, where Mary is often referred to in royal terms as part of the hymns and prayers of the Church.

The honor given to Mary in Orthodox Christianity is always Christocentric—it reflects her role in relation to Christ and is always oriented towards Him.

it might be helpful to explore the Orthodox understanding of Mary through the writings of the Church Fathers and the liturgical life of the Church. They would see that the veneration of Mary is deeply rooted in Scripture and Tradition, and always points to Christ.