[Pyro7480]

Yes, the teaching of the Immaculate Conception came to fruition during the Middle Ages through the Franciscans. It was something that wasn't always believed by the Church and debated fiercely in the Middle Ages.

If you read the Fathers, in particular St. Ephrem, the Immaculate Conception is the logical conclusion of their teaching on the Panagia.

[brooklyn dave]

St. Ephrem the Syrian was definitely in the minority among the Eastern fathers. When you use the words logical conclusion---that's the heart of Scholasticism----trying to insert too much logic into the mystical. Aristotleianism v. Platonism. To the Eastern Church it was sufficient that Mary was sinless in her personal life-- Mary's being or not being immaculately conceived did not add or detract from Christ's divinity.