Orthodox and the Immaculate Conception

[Eucharisted]

Hi

I understand that the Orthodox do not accept the Immaculate Conception, especially since they do not accept the Catholic doctrine of original sin, but I would like to ask a quick question.

Given that the Orthodox generally accept the apparitions of Mary at Zeitoun, are the apparitions of Mary at Lourdes also accepted, or, are they not accepted by some Orthodox because Mary said “I am the Immaculate Conception”?

 

[chrisb]

Hi

I understand that the Orthodox do not accept the Immaculate Conception, especially since they do not accept the Catholic doctrine of original sin, but I would like to ask a quick question.

Given that the Orthodox generally accept the apparitions of Mary at Zeitoun, are the apparitions of Mary at Lourdes also accepted, or, are they not accepted by some Orthodox because Mary said “I am the Immaculate Conception”?

Personal Apparitions aren’t even universally accepted by Roman Catholics so why would Orthodox be forced to accept them, especially on such a touchy Dogma as that of the Immaculate Conception?

With regards to the differences in understanding of Original Sin I would say you are on to something. It is in our understanding of Original Sin that East and West find the seed of difference. From here all things branch out in differing directions. Find a proper and orthodox teaching of Original Sin which goes back to the earliest days of the Church and you will find what separates.

 

[Eucharisted]

Personal Apparitions aren’t even universally accepted by Roman Catholics so why would Orthodox be forced to accept them, especially on such a touchy Dogma as that of the Immaculate Conception?

With regards to the differences in understanding of Original Sin I would say you are on to something. It is in our understanding of Original Sin that East and West find the seed of difference. From here all things branch out in differing directions. Find a proper and orthodox teaching of Original Sin which goes back to the earliest days of the Church and you will find what separates.

Lourdes, along with Fatima, is the only two apparitions of Mary ever to receive the highest form of Church acceptance (approval from the Holy Office). I just want to know if Orthodox generally accept the apparitions at Loudes, since they generally accept the apparitions at Zeitoun.

 

[chrisb]

Lourdes, along with Fatima, is the only two apparitions of Mary ever to receive the highest form of Church acceptance (approval from the Holy Office). I just want to know if Orthodox generally accept the apparitions at Loudes, since they generally accept the apparitions at Zeitoun.

I can tell you they don’t accept them.

 

[theistgal]

Lourdes, along with Fatima, is the only two apparitions of Mary ever to receive the highest form of Church acceptance (approval from the Holy Office). I just want to know if Orthodox generally accept the apparitions at Loudes, since they generally accept the apparitions at Zeitoun.

The apparitions at Zeitoun happened at a Coptic Orthodox Church, so perhaps the Orthodox accept them because they were intended for the Orthodox.

As a side note, it is fascinating to note that the apparitions at Zeitoun are one of the very few Marian apparitions which was witnessed and approved not only by Catholics and Orthodox Christians, but even by some Protestants and Muslims!