Replies

Well, you can cross purgatory off the list you hold against us. St. Mark of Ephesus, the Orthodox saint who (with the help of the laity and ordinary clergy back home) scuttled the False Union of Florence/Ferrar, wrote extensively against that false teaching.

As for "mariology" and "saint worship", I would note that there are subtle and not so subtle differences between the Orthodox and Roman Catholic approached to Mary. Our constant use of the title Theotokos stresses that much of the honor we show her is bound up with sound Christology, while the West seems to perfer "Blessed Virgin Mary" at the usual reference. We also insist she died. Their Dogma of the Assumption of the BVM is carefully worded to give room for their faction which asserts she never died, but was assumed alive into heaven. We also deny their Dogma of the Immaculate Conception of the BVM, which to the Orthodox vitiates the identity of nature between Christ's humanity and our own.

As to "saint worship", I would again remind you that those in Christ, though they die, yet they are alive. Thus, we can ask their prayers. We honor the saints as Christ's friends, and those through whom God has shown forth his Uncreated Glory. The veneration of saints is a natural secondary outgrowth of the worship of the source of the Uncreated Glory (God), but is not worship itself.

By the way, glad to get a response. Thank you. Too often protestant posters refuse to answer me.

Well, you can cross purgatory off the list you hold against us. St. Mark of Ephesus, the Orthodox saint who (with the help of the laity and ordinary clergy back home) scuttled the False Union of Florence/Ferrar, wrote extensively against that false teaching. As for "mariology" and "saint worship", I would note that there are subtle and not so subtle differences between the Orthodox and Roman Catholic approached to Mary. Our constant use of the title Theotokos stresses that much of the honor we show her is bound up with sound Christology, while the West seems to perfer "Blessed Virgin Mary" at the usual reference. We also insist she died. Their Dogma of the Assumption of the BVM is carefully worded to give room for their faction which asserts she never died, but was assumed alive into heaven. We also deny their Dogma of the Immaculate Conception of the BVM, which to the Orthodox vitiates the identity of nature between Christ's humanity and our own.

If an angel appeared to me and told me I must become a catholic. I'd choose this stuff. Makes much more sense than the Roman stuff.

You wrote:
As to "saint worship", I would again remind you that those in Christ, though they die, yet they are alive. Thus, we can ask their prayers.

Calling up dead people is a no-no. How can you contradict the commandment of God in the O.T.??

As to "saint worship", I would again remind you that those in Christ, though they die, yet they are alive. Thus, we can ask their prayers. We honor the saints as Christ's friends, and those through whom God has shown forth his Uncreated Glory. The veneration of saints is a natural secondary outgrowth of the worship of the source of the Uncreated Glory (God), but is not worship itself.

I would remind you that images made of the saints and mary as objects of adoration are in direct violation of the commandment to the contrary - no matter how it is worded, painted or him-hawed around. The saints are alive in Christ but dead in the flesh, including Mary. As such, speach to them is the same as speaking to any other that is not with us - Jewish law forbids it and the Lord came to fulfill, not put away the law. Your doctrines cannot break the laws and commands of God and be other than disobedience - no matter how much I may like you. You cannot violate the law of God and make doctrine of doing so and yet call yourself obedient.

By the way, glad to get a response. Thank you. Too often protestant posters refuse to answer me.

If you had'nt said something, I might not have responded. I didn't see it posted. Happy to answer.