The article focuses on a selection of words metaphorically defining Mary as Mother (begetter) of God, protector and defender of mankind. The words are passed down by, and were drawn from, Church-Slavonic liturgical tradition and medieval orthodox Slavic literature. The analysis is based on etymological and semantic commentaries and serves to evaluate existing Italian translations and to propose new language. This work represents a preparatory study within the project for a multilingual lexicon of religious and philosophical-theological words.