[MarMema]

I provided examples, drawn from bona fide Orthodox sources you could easily double-check, demonstrating that this doctrine is indeed significant in Orthodox Tradition.

Correction. You think you did. I already have this writing of Saint Gregory Palamas, and a great deal more of his writings, on my bookshelf. It says nothing that is new to me, and contrary to your church's belief, apparently, the topic is not one he spent much time on.

The link you provided is from a clergy member who has been very controversial in our church and some would say less kind things about. I surmise from a previous thread with my friend Hermann that you think you can just go find some person using the word "Orthodox" and put their quotes up and bingo, you have it now.

If you were truly observant you might have noticed that I posted very early in this thread agreeing with you that the early church did hold this position. What I have found recently indicates to me, however, that we hold a slightly different position on this than your church does.

Finally, significant is a subjective word. From outside the church you are free to create your own beliefs, but I am willing to bet that most of the clergy at my church would not consider this doctrine to be very significant, and after all you are *outside* of the church.

So, in spite of your many unkind accusations about me - that I must not really be Orthodox or go to liturgy very often, or that I don't read very much about Orthodoxy, you are the one who is ignorant here.

You are new here, Patrick. Some of the Protestants here have become good friends to me and with many of them we Orthodox share a wonderful opportunity to discuss differences and exchange doctrine, and we still maintain respect for each other and don't get nasty.
OP is one of those people. So don't think that finding one trivial thing in which the Orthodox church agrees with the RC church is going to work as a divisional tactic.

[american colleen]

So don't think that finding one trivial thing in which the Orthodox church agrees with the RC church is going to work as a divisional tactic.

Theotokos is a trivial thing?

[Patrick Madrid]

Sorry, but your attempt to evade or downplay the fact that the Orthodox Churches affirm the teaching of Mary's perpetual virginity, not as insiginificant and in *exactly* the same way the Catholic Church does, won't wash. The facts are the facts. If you want to get angry with me for showing the evidence from bona fide Orthodox sources, that's okay. It doesn't bother me, and I don't return your anger with anger. I pray that God will bless you.

[AlguyA]

"So don't think that finding one trivial thing in which the Orthodox church agrees with the RC church is going to work as a divisional tactic."

Wow! I never thought I'd see the day where an Orthodox described Theotokos as a trivial thing. Is this a common view in your church? I've read other Orthodox, here at FR, who had led me to believe your church held some devotion to Our Lady.