ΚΕΧΑΡΙΤΩΜΕΝΗ
Kecharitomene, a word echoing through the centuries as an epithet for the Virgin Mary, is the perfect passive participle of the verb charitoō, meaning 'she who has received grace' or 'she who has been fully favored.' Its lexarithmos (1939) signifies the fullness of divine favor and its spiritual importance as a symbol of divine bestowal.
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The word 'κεχαριτωμένη' is the perfect passive participle of the verb χαριτόω, meaning 'to make someone full of grace, to favor.' Its most famous usage is found in the Gospel of Luke (1:28), where the Archangel Gabriel greets Mary with the words «Χαῖρε, κεχαριτωμένη, ὁ Κύριος μετὰ σοῦ» ('Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you'). This greeting is not merely a description but a theological declaration about Mary's unique relationship with God and the fullness of grace bestowed upon her.
The form of the participle, 'κεχαριτωμένη,' denotes a state that has been completed in the past but continues to exist in the present. Mary is not merely 'favored' momentarily, but is permanently and completely 'filled with grace.' This makes her unique in salvation history, as this grace is not the result of her own efforts, but a free and unparalleled gift from God.
In Patristic theology and hymnography, 'Kecharitomene' becomes a central term for the Theotokos, emphasizing her role as a vessel of divine grace and as a model for every believer. The word transcends its simple grammatical function and embodies a profound theological truth about human nature's capacity to receive and respond to divine grace.
Etymology
Cognate words stemming from the same root ΧΑΡ- include: χάρις (favor, grace), χαίρω (to rejoice, be glad), χαρίζω (to grant, bestow, forgive), χάρισμα (gift of grace), εὐχαριστία (thanksgiving), χαριτόω (to bestow grace), and χαρίεις (full of grace, charming). All these words revolve around the central idea of favor, joy, and bestowal, whether as a state, an action, or a result.
Main Meanings
- Full of grace, highly favored — The primary and theological meaning, as used in the Archangel Gabriel's greeting to Mary (Luke 1:28).
- She who has received divine favor — Denotes a special and unique relationship with God, where favor has been given as a gift.
- Endowed with grace, graceful — Describes the state of someone who has been made beautiful or pleasing through grace, not necessarily physical beauty.
- Blessed by God — Synonymous with blessing, emphasizing spiritual well-being and protection.
- She who has been accepted — In a broader context, it can mean someone who has been accepted or beloved by God (cf. Eph. 1:6, «ἐν ᾗ ἐχαρίτωσεν ἡμᾶς ἐν τῷ ἠγαπημένῳ»).
- She who has received spiritual gifts — In certain contexts, it may imply the fullness of spiritual charismata.
Word Family
ΧΑΡ- (root of χάρις, meaning 'grace, favor, joy')
The root ΧΑΡ- is an Ancient Greek root that expresses a wide range of concepts related to favor, grace, joy, and gratitude. From it derive words that describe both an internal state (joy) and an external manifestation (grace, gift) or response (thanksgiving). Its semantic evolution shows how a basic concept of human experience (joy, favor) can develop into profound theological dimensions, such as divine grace and salvation. Each member of this family enriches the understanding of the central idea.
Philosophical Journey
The word 'κεχαριτωμένη' has a unique historical trajectory, as its most famous usage makes it central to Christian theology and hymnography.
In Ancient Texts
Three of the most significant passages that highlight the importance of grace and 'Kecharitomene':
Lexarithmic Analysis
The lexarithmos of the word ΚΕΧΑΡΙΤΩΜΕΝΗ is 1939, from the sum of its letter values:
1939 decomposes into 1900 (hundreds) + 30 (tens) + 9 (units).
The 18 Methods
Applying the 18 traditional lexarithmic methods to the word ΚΕΧΑΡΙΤΩΜΕΝΗ:
| Method | Result | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Isopsephy | 1939 | Base lexarithmos |
| Decade Numerology | 4 | 1+9+3+9 = 22 → 2+2 = 4. The Tetrad symbolizes completeness, stability, and the universality of the grace bestowed. |
| Letter Count | 12 | 12 letters. The Dodecad is a number of fullness and divine order, like the twelve tribes of Israel and the twelve Apostles, indicating the comprehensive nature of divine favor. |
| Cumulative | 9/30/1900 | Units 9 · Tens 30 · Hundreds 1900 |
| Odd/Even | Odd | Masculine force |
| Left/Right Hand | Right | Divine (≥100) |
| Quotient | — | Comparative method |
| Notarikon | Κ-Ε-Χ-Α-Ρ-Ι-Τ-Ω-Μ-Ε-Ν-Η | Kyriou Eusplachnia Charis Alithini Ryetai Ischyros Tous Os Mi Elpizontas Neous Imon (interpretive: 'The Lord's Compassion, True Grace, Strongly Rescues Our Youth Who Do Not Hope') |
| Grammatical Groups | 6V · 3S · 3M | 6 vowels (E, A, I, O, E, I), 3 semivowels/liquids/nasals (R, M, N), 3 mutes/stops (K, Ch, T). The balance of vowels and consonants suggests harmony and completeness in the expression of grace. |
| Palindromes | No | |
| Onomancy | — | Comparative |
| Sphere of Democritus | — | Divination with lunar day |
| Zodiacal Isopsephy | Moon ☽ / Scorpio ♏ | 1939 mod 7 = 0 · 1939 mod 12 = 7 |
Isopsephic Words (1939)
Words from the Liddell-Scott-Jones lexicon with the same lexarithmos (1939) as 'Kecharitomene,' but of different roots:
The LSJ lexicon contains a total of 23 words with lexarithmos 1939. For the full catalog and AI semantic filtering, see the interactive tool.
Sources & Bibliography
- Liddell, H. G., Scott, R., Jones, H. S. — A Greek-English Lexicon. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1940.
- Bauer, W., Arndt, W. F., Gingrich, F. W., & Danker, F. W. — A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature. 3rd ed. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000.
- Nestle, E., Aland, K. — Novum Testamentum Graece. 28th ed. Stuttgart: Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, 2012.
- Rahlfs, A., Hanhart, R. — Septuaginta. Stuttgart: Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, 2006.
- Lampe, G. W. H. — A Patristic Greek Lexicon. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1961.
- Xenophon — Cyropaedia. Edited by E. C. Marchant. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1920.