[kosta50]

The Orthodox see Mary as our model and hope, a promise that even ordinary humans can achieve theosis, giving Mary extraodinary credit.

The Roman Catholics see Mary not as an ordinary human but a very special and uncommon human with a special role that no one can emmulate. Thus she was created to succeed.

In the Orthodox belief, Mary is an "under dog" (a pre-Fall human trying outdo the pre-Fall Eve and succeeding); in the Roman Catholic view, she is simply "created" as a "top dog" (pre-Fall human) with all the grace needed to resist temptations and corruption.

[annalex]

The Orthodox see Mary as our model and hope, a promise that even ordinary humans can achieve theosis

The Roman Catholics see Mary not as an ordinary human but a very special and uncommon human with a special role that no one can emmulate

That is, I think, a grossly accurate outline. Two points on that:

- Mary reflects the pre-fall condition of man, and is then our hope of everlasting life in the Kingdom of Heaven, where we shall have our pre-fall condition restored. The saints show us how to live, but Mary shows us where we are going.

- Of course no one can emulate Mary (or Christ) in essence, as we are not going to have another Incarnation and Resurrection. But Mary did not receive anything different that the sanctifying grace we receive. It is true that Christ made her burden light. But He also told us that He will make our burden light.