“Kolo, what differences does it make for you to believe in a post-death assumption of Mary?”
Absolutely no difference. The Assumption is not Orthodox dogma; it is a theologoumennon, a pious belief which is in no way mandatory. Personally, I believe she was assumed into heaven after she died but that’s because that’s what the Tradition says. Orthodoxy commemorates the “Dormition (Falling Asleep or Dying)of the Theotokos”, not the Assumption per se. Its the Latins, Padre, who felt compelled, for reasons best known to Pope Pius XII, to declare her assumption a dogma of the Roman Church. The Latins have declared a number of innovative and seemingly unnecessary dogmas since they broke with the rest of The Church in the 11th century, but that of course is another topic.
I am so glad to know this about orthodoxy.
It gives me hope.
bump
I did not know that (and you've boosted my vocabulary--yet again). Interesting.