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In Orthodox Christian piety, Mary, as the Theotokos, is honored as the ''All Holy'' who is the supreme example of the cooperation of between God and Man, as God, Who always respects human freedom, did not become incarnate without the free consent of the Virgin. The Holy Scripture tells us, her agreement was freely given: ''Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word'' (Luke 1:38).
==Iconography==
In iconography, Panagia is used in referring to [[icon]]s of the Virgin Mary. Of the many icon examples of Panagia, one of note is that of the Theotokos wherein she faces the viewer directly, usually depicted full length, with her hands in the ''orans'' position, and with a medallion showing the image of [[Christ]] as a child in front of her chest . The medallion symbolically represents Jesus within the womb of the Virgin Mary at the moment of the [[Incarnation]].
[[Image:St Nick DC Altar.jpg|right|thumb|150px|Our Lady of the Sign - St. Nicholas Cathedral - Washington, D.C.]]
==Vestment==
In associations with vestments the medallion bearing the icon of the All-Holy Theotokos and worn by a [[bishop]] is usually called a Panagia. This medallion is also referred to as an [[engolpion]], When a bishop is vested for the [[Divine Liturgy]] or another service, he wears a panagia and a [[pectoral cross]] over his other vestments. The primate of an [[autocephalous]] church, when fully vested, wears a panagia, a pectoral cross, and an engolpion of [[Jesus]]. Bishops of all ranks, when not vested, will usually wear the panagia alone over their [[riassaVestments|ryassa]]. This is often the detail that, to the casual observer, distinguishes a bishop from a [[priest]] or a [[monk]]. The panagia is usually oval in shape and crowned with a depiction of a [[miter]]. Sometimes, bishops may wear a panagia which is either square or shaped like a [[double-headed eagle]]. This is especially true of bishops of the Greek tradition.
When the bishop is vested before the Divine Liturgy, the Panagia is presented to him on a tray. He blesses it with both hands and the [[subdeacon]]s bring it to him to kiss and place the Panagia around his neck, while the [[deacon|Protodeacon]] swings the [[censer]] and says the following prayer: "May God create a clean heart in thee, and renew a right spirit within thee, always, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen."
[[Category: Services]]
[[Category: Liturgical objects]]
[[ro:Panaghia]]