[OLD REGGIE]

Thank you. However, in neither case was the timeline defended that I was able to tell. Simple statements do not necessarily prove anything. Also, what in the world are you doing on the CARM site? They'd sterilize the site with bleach for a week if they found out that a UU was wandering through it. :)

The "Unafilliated" have a great advantage over the "Organized" in that we feel free to use any source generally available. :-)

(Secret: I will even use Athiest sites for research purposes.)

True! There is no defensible timeline for any book, after much debate and arm twisting, accepted into our current "perfect" Bible. I presented two differing versons as an illustration the Gospels were written and accepted long before any "Fathers" invented an exalted role for Mary.

At any rate, the belief is that the Gospel writer Luke wrote the first icon - of Mary. That was certainly pre-Gospel, and possibly before any of the rest of what would become Scripture was written. Certainly before it was widely circulated.

I must admit I chuckle when I see a presentation of fact justified by such terms as "the belief is", "Legend has it..", or "(Holy) Tradition is...".

That, my son, is not allowed as evidence in my court.

[MarkBsnr]

Thank you. However, in neither case was the timeline defended that I was able to tell. Simple statements do not necessarily prove anything. Also, what in the world are you doing on the CARM site? They'd sterilize the site with bleach for a week if they found out that a UU was wandering through it. :)

The "Unafilliated" have a great advantage over the "Organized" in that we feel free to use any source generally available. :-)

(Secret: I will even use Athiest sites for research purposes.)

I think that it's a rather open secret!!! :)

True! There is no defensible timeline for any book, after much debate and arm twisting, accepted into our current "perfect" Bible. I presented two differing versons as an illustration the Gospels were written and accepted long before any "Fathers" invented an exalted role for Mary.

Well, the belief of the Church kinda differs from your sources.

At any rate, the belief is that the Gospel writer Luke wrote the first icon - of Mary. That was certainly pre-Gospel, and possibly before any of the rest of what would become Scripture was written. Certainly before it was widely circulated.

I must admit I chuckle when I see a presentation of fact justified by such terms as "the belief is", "Legend has it..", or "(Holy) Tradition is...".

That, my son, is not allowed as evidence in my court.

Since I don't believe that you run the Heavenly Judiciary, my concern would be more on the personal level, as in rational (!) adults conversing and debating. :)

Evidence is not of the first rate involving the exact timeline and happenings of first century events; much of it wanders the road from fact to belief.