Wmfights: This seems to be more of an EO perspective
It's not. The EO mariology is as intense, if not more intense than the Catholic, but it's different for a variety of reasons.
For instance, some Orthodox traditions go out of their way to void any perception of idolatry. Thus in my (Serbian) Church, the intercessory request in specific canons say "Most Holy Theotokos, through your prayers to your Son , save us." Thus, this is not asking her to save us (directly) but to save us by praying to God on our behalf.
Others, notably the ones I mentioned in post #12,162 only say the 'abbreviated' version "Theotokos, save us." I just don't buy that it is an 'abbreviated ' version. There are many in the Orthodox Church whose Marian devotion borders on idolatry.
Thus, as I mentioned earlier, there are people even in my own church, who will touch the ground (traditional Orthodox churches do not have pews; we worship standing) when her name is invoked, but will not do the same for the Holy Trinity (and both get mentioned a lot in the Divine Liturgy), thereby showing greater reverence for Mary than for God!.
Then, there is the Divine Liturgy of St. Basil (which goes back more than 1,600 years, and in a sense reflects how the early Greek Christians perceived Mary) that is served about 12 times a year in Orthodox Churches to this day, which says "Glory to thee" in reference to Mary! Yet, we all know that glory goes only to God.
But, in all fairness, the early church did not have all these things worked out. The Apostle Paul says that Christ existed in a form of God (Phi 2:6). In the "form' of God!?! Is that like the "image" of God that we are, but not quite?
Saint Paul and others (notably the authors of Acts and 1 Peter) repeatedly state that God raised Christ from the dead. God raised Christ!?!
The Gospels also mention that even though everything that the Father has Christ also has, but Christ is not equal to Father, as there are things only the Father knows (i.e. the exact date of the End of Times). This is docetism, one of the earliest heresies based on a welath of NT references.
In one instance, Christ even admits that the Father is greater than He is. [cf Jn 14:28] This is quote contrary to Trinitarian teaching (see +John of Damascus, Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith).
However, in defense of the Eastern Orthodox teaching, there is only one dogma regarding Mary: that she is the Theotokos. But that same Church has hymns that glorify her and ask her to save us (directly)!
How do you account for the difference with your RC brothers?
Cultural and historical differences. The EO have believed all along, probably close to 2,000 years, that Mary was assumed bodily into heaven on the third day after her death. The RCs never admitted that she actually died, and only in the last 50 or so years made her (bodily) assumption into heaven a dogma.
Thanks. Important points, I think.
I do feel, Kosta, that the things you see as contradictions in Scripture vis a vis The Trinity--I do not see as contradictions at all.
I see such things as parts of a complex . . . reality, a complex construct which our finiteness does not have all the info on and does not have a perfect perspective on.
I see all the Scriptures about the Godhead being true and without contradiction. I believe any seeming contradictions are merely that--finite appearances . . . A 2D flatlander trying to make sense out of a 3D or 4D or 12D (dimensioned) world. Or different facets of the diamond showing different colors.
And, it seems that many RC folks can support a LOT of Marian hogwash because they cannot see contradictions that are real contradictions that those outside that perspective do see. For them, there are no contradictions.
Anyway, my 2 cents worth.
Thanks for your kind post.