This does answer and settle the matter for me, also I do agree wholeheartedly with the statement, “though it is surely better to spend time in devotion than speculation on this point” 🥰
An interesting point re: the Franciscans, St. Bonaventure appears to hold to the view that Mary was purified of original sin at the Annunciation, at least in my reading of him. I don't have the reference in front of me, but I remember reading it in his Lignum Vitae in one of the meditations on the annunciation
How do you square the personal sinlessness of the Mother of God with the host of Scriptural references that imply the sinfulness of all men? And do you, with the Eastern Church, call the Mother of God your salvation and ask her to save you? If so, why?
Greetings, John, and thank you for your kind attention to my posts. I'm writing a sermon for this Sunday which will go further into my thoughts on the Blessed Virgin Mary and her role in salvation, which I think is far more than merely incidental, though no, I would not ask Our Lady to save me and was not aware that the Eastern Church did so. On the matter of the personal sinlessness of the Theotokos, I would side with that part of the patristic tradition which equates her with the Ark of the Covenant and Temple, suggesting that she was purified by God to be a fitting vessel for the Lord to indwell. In this, she is sui generis, as indicated by the title with which the angel Gabriel addresses her and her alone: "full of grace." That she had the potential to sin, I do not doubt; but it was possible for God by His grace to preserve her from both original and personal sin, whether at or after her conception. This is the majority position in the Church, which I believe is inspired by the Holy Spirit. That said, you do have St Anselm on side with you in your doubts over the issue, so perhaps this is not a hill anyone has to die on.
As well as Origen and St. John Chysostom, two formidable authorities. I'm not sure if I should speak of it, to be honest—if it's so or not, who are we to speak ill of our mother? Thank you for your time, Father.
I highly recommend the small text, "The Orthodox Veneration of the Mother of God" by Saint John Maximovitch (St Herman of Alaska Brotherhood)
As a former iconoclast evangel-prot who was blown by Divine Providence into the safe harbor of the Holy Orthodox Church, I can humbly testify that the constant intercessions of Our Mother and Queen have been an amazing experience and wonderfully 😌❤️🩹🕯️☦️ unexpected solace. Grace🔥and peace⛲ to you! O'Lord Jesus Christ Son of God have mercy on me the sinner. Onward to Bethlehem.....✨🌴🐪🌌👑
Blessed Feast of Hieromartyr IGNATIUS, God-Bearer of Antioch. No one is saved alone....
This does answer and settle the matter for me, also I do agree wholeheartedly with the statement, “though it is surely better to spend time in devotion than speculation on this point” 🥰
Fascinating (really!)
An interesting point re: the Franciscans, St. Bonaventure appears to hold to the view that Mary was purified of original sin at the Annunciation, at least in my reading of him. I don't have the reference in front of me, but I remember reading it in his Lignum Vitae in one of the meditations on the annunciation
How do you square the personal sinlessness of the Mother of God with the host of Scriptural references that imply the sinfulness of all men? And do you, with the Eastern Church, call the Mother of God your salvation and ask her to save you? If so, why?
Greetings, John, and thank you for your kind attention to my posts. I'm writing a sermon for this Sunday which will go further into my thoughts on the Blessed Virgin Mary and her role in salvation, which I think is far more than merely incidental, though no, I would not ask Our Lady to save me and was not aware that the Eastern Church did so. On the matter of the personal sinlessness of the Theotokos, I would side with that part of the patristic tradition which equates her with the Ark of the Covenant and Temple, suggesting that she was purified by God to be a fitting vessel for the Lord to indwell. In this, she is sui generis, as indicated by the title with which the angel Gabriel addresses her and her alone: "full of grace." That she had the potential to sin, I do not doubt; but it was possible for God by His grace to preserve her from both original and personal sin, whether at or after her conception. This is the majority position in the Church, which I believe is inspired by the Holy Spirit. That said, you do have St Anselm on side with you in your doubts over the issue, so perhaps this is not a hill anyone has to die on.
As well as Origen and St. John Chysostom, two formidable authorities. I'm not sure if I should speak of it, to be honest—if it's so or not, who are we to speak ill of our mother? Thank you for your time, Father.
I highly recommend the small text, "The Orthodox Veneration of the Mother of God" by Saint John Maximovitch (St Herman of Alaska Brotherhood)
As a former iconoclast evangel-prot who was blown by Divine Providence into the safe harbor of the Holy Orthodox Church, I can humbly testify that the constant intercessions of Our Mother and Queen have been an amazing experience and wonderfully 😌❤️🩹🕯️☦️ unexpected solace. Grace🔥and peace⛲ to you! O'Lord Jesus Christ Son of God have mercy on me the sinner. Onward to Bethlehem.....✨🌴🐪🌌👑
Blessed Feast of Hieromartyr IGNATIUS, God-Bearer of Antioch. No one is saved alone....
Most Holy Theotokos save us! ☦️⛪✨❤️
(even THE most Grace-Filled person dies)
...but, no thing is impossible with God. 😌