Orthodox Take On Mary as Co-Redemptrix and Mediatrix of All Graces

[TrueLight]

For the purposes of this thread, I’m using “Catholic” to mean Catholics of the Latin Rite and Eastern Catholic churches in communion with Rome. I am using “Orthodox” to mean the Eastern Orthodox Churches.

I am also assuming that the Eastern Catholics would adhere to whatever was defined by
Rome. I could be wrong.

I am curious as to the Orthodox view on Mary as Co-Redemptrix and Mediatrix.

I understand when Rome dogmatically defines something, it doesn’t apply to the Orthodox, but I’m curious about opinions.

I know in Eastern Orthodx Christianity, Mary is the Theotokos.

Are there any differences in the Orthodox view versus the Latin/Eastern Catholic views?

Thanks.

 

[sweetchuck]

These links may be helpful.

Here is a letter from an Orthodox Patriarch: motherofallpeoples.com/Articles/General_Mariology/orthodox-patriarch-on-maternal-mediation.html

Here is a lengthy article from an orthodox theologian: motherofallpeoples.com/Articles/General_Mariology/the-mother-of-god-in-the-orthodox-church.html

While there are many in the Orthodox churches who would not accept such a definition, “Coredemptrix” and “Mediatrix” are in the same league as the types of terminology given to Mary in the Akathistos Hymn and the Small Paraklesis. It probably boils down to a papal authority issue more than a Marian dogma issue.

 

[sweetchuck]

Check out the language of the beautiful Akathistos Hymn. legionofmarytidewater.com/prayers/stand.htm

“Rejoice, Salvation of my soul!”

 

[Elizium23]

Thread: How does the East feel about “Mediatrix” and “Co-redemptrix” Mariology?

 

[TrueLight]

Thread: How does the East feel about “Mediatrix” and “Co-redemptrix” Mariology?

Oh wow. And I thought my topic was original, LOL. Let me get myself to that thread now!

Thank you Elizium and thanks Sweetchuck for responding.

Edited: Okay. That thread was very helpful, but is one year old. I’m curious as to how some of the posters have or have not changed their minds.

Maybe I should have posted this in Eastern Catholics.

 

[Hesychios]

Oh wow. And I thought my topic was original, LOL. Let me get myself to that thread now!

Thank you Elizium and thanks Sweetchuck for responding.

Edited: Okay. That thread was very helpful, but is one year old. I’m curious as to how some of the posters have or have not changed their minds.

Maybe I should have posted this in Eastern Catholics.

I suggest you take the question to an Orthodox forum.

 

[TrueLight]

I suggest you take the question to an Orthodox forum.

Oh really? I guess I’ll go Google for a site where the Orthodox reside.

 

[UnworthyApostle]

Well, I am an Eastern Catholic who uses a Byzantine and Antiochian Orthodox Prayerbook. In the Byzantine Catholic Prayerbook, it says,"…O Mediatrix…" and in the Antiochian book it always says things like “Through the Theotokos, have mercy on us”,“Through the prayers of the stainless one…”. I may have to double check my references because I got this off memory, but I this sounds correct. The Byzantine Prayerbook uses mediatrix outright and the Orthodox Book certaintly has language that sounds like it could imply the doctrine. I don’t know for 100% alhtough in regards to Orthodoxy’s total view. Hope this helps!

 

[ComeHome2Rome]

I understand when Rome dogmatically defines something, it doesn’t apply to the Orthodox, but I’m curious about opinions.

When Rome defines something dogmatically it applies to every single Christian in the world.

St. Peter was given the Keys to the Kingdom of Heaven that everything he, and the popes who came after him, loosed would be loosed and everything that he, and the popes who came after him, bound would be bound.

That being said, it is usually only those of us Christians who are Catholic that fully accept Rome’s Authority to define dogma.

Bottom line is: The Pope of Rome maintains the Christ-given Authority over the Teachings of the Church no matter if those who are under his Authority accept his Authority or not.

 

[TrueLight]

Well, I am an Eastern Catholic who uses a Byzantine and Antiochian Orthodox Prayerbook. In the Byzantine Catholic Prayerbook, it says,"…O Mediatrix…" and in the Antiochian book it always says things like “Through the Theotokos, have mercy on us”,“Through the prayers of the stainless one…”. I may have to double check my references because I got this off memory, but I this sounds correct. The Byzantine Prayerbook uses mediatrix outright and the Orthodox Book certaintly has language that sounds like it could imply the doctrine. I don’t know for 100% alhtough in regards to Orthodoxy’s total view. Hope this helps!

Yes, it does help.

Thanks for giving me these snippets from the prayer book.

 

[TrueLight]

When Rome defines something dogmatically it applies to every single Christian in the world.

St. Peter was given the Keys to the Kingdom of Heaven that everything he, and the popes who came after him, loosed would be loosed and everything that he, and the popes who came after him, bound would be bound.

That being said, it is usually only those of us Christians who are Catholic that fully accept Rome’s Authority to define dogma.

Bottom line is: The Pope of Rome maintains the Christ-given Authority over the Teachings of the Church no matter if those who are under his Authority accept his Authority or not.

Okay I understand what you’re saying.

But obviously, if you’re not Catholic, you’re not going to listen to the Pope. You know that. I know that.

 

[Hesychios]

Hello my friend,

Oh really? I guess I’ll go Google for a site where the Orthodox reside.

Fully aware that I am a guest here at Catholic Answers, I didn’t want to promote any other forums. I am merely offering a suggestion, since the question is directed at Orthodox Christians specifically you might go where they are.

Pax et Bonum

 

[TrueLight]

Hello my friend,
Fully aware that I am a guest here at Catholic Answers, I didn’t want to promote any other forums. I am merely offering a suggestion, since the question is directed at Orthodox Christians specifically you might go where they are.

Pax et Bonum

Okay. But there are tons of threads addressed to the Orthodox in this “non-Catholic Religions” forum, and in fact you responded to the same thread of a previous topic a year ago.

Thank you those of you Latin and Eastern Catholics who responded.

I think I will request that this thread be closed or deleted.

 

[Hesychios]

Okay. But there are tons of threads addressed to the Orthodox in this “non-Catholic Religions” forum, and in fact you responded to the same thread of a previous topic a year ago.

Yes, but I took your question to be a sincere one, I believe that you were genuinely interested in the Orthodox perspective on these things. If you are, you can find a lot more Orthodox (and I dare say at least a few more knowledgeable ones) on an Orthodox forum than the five or six who are still hanging on over here.

As to that previously referenced thread, that was asking Eastern Christians in general (of whom there are many kinds, including Papal Catholics) what they think on this subject, it was not a question directed specifically to Orthodox. I stand by everything I posted at that time, I have not changed my opinion.

I am all for a spirited discussion, I learn a lot from them and enjoy it immensely.

I recommend that you visit Byzcath.org, a site owned by an Eastern Catholic which has both Catholic and Orthodox moderators. There is also OC.Net, and Monachos, which are both Orthodox sites.

Thank you those of you Latin and Eastern Catholics who responded.

 

[TrueLight]

Yes, but I took your question to be a sincere one, I believe that you were genuinely interested in the Orthodox perspective on these things. If you are, you can find a lot more Orthodox (and I dare say at least a few more knowledgeable ones) on an Orthodox forum than the five or six who are still hanging on over here.

As to that previously referenced thread, that was asking Eastern Christians in general (of whom there are many kinds, including Papal Catholics) what they think on this subject, it was not a question directed specifically to Orthodox. I stand by everything I posted at that time, I have not changed my opinion.

I am all for a spirited discussion, I learn a lot from them and enjoy it immensely.

I recommend that you visit Byzcath.org, a site owned by an Eastern Catholic which has both Catholic and Orthodox moderators. There is also OC.Net, and Monachos, which are both Orthodox sites.

I see. I may have misunderstood your response. Of course I’m sincere.

Either way, I’ve asked that this thread be closed or deleted.

Thanks for the clarification.