I have not read beyond the introductory 3 sentences preceding the blockquote, so I wanted to comment before I read the article.
I have no problem with Mary being a disciple of Jesus. I have no problem with Mary being one of the greats of the Bible — certainly as great as any of the prophets. After all, she was the vessel who bore the Lord. She did believe the angel’s words to her. She did say, “whatever He says, do it.”
She & Joseph faithfully raised her Son, observed the customs and law, attended synagogue, visited the temple.
She was one of those who braved the danger and stood with the Lord at the cross. She was one of those who first believed the resurrection.
There isn’t enough to say about her. She is a wonderful picture of motherhood, faith, and discipleship.
I have no problem with facts such as these.
I say this before reading the article, before reading any theology with which I might disagree, so that everyone understands that my faith has extremely high regard for the Virgin Mary.
I, for one, Padre, never doubted your deep respect for our Most Holy Theotokos.
This article speaks about the sword which would pierce her heart. Many, many converts to Orthodoxy from one denomination or another of Protestantism have related to me that they came to understand what we feel about the Theotokos, why we venerate her and what that veneration means and has meant for centuries, after they came to understand, almost always at some point during Great Lent, what suffering she experienced as the Mother of God. Very powerful stuff, Padre.