St. Gregory the Wonderworker and the Immaculate Conception

[utunumsint]

Here is another example of the term “Within and without” from Ignatius of Antioch.

Ignatius of Antioch to the Romans.

Only beg for me strength within and without, that I may be a man not merely of words, but also of resolution.

I also like this interesting passage from Ignatius on the virginity of Mary. I’m sure it has not direct bearing on IC, but I thought I would include it anyway.

Ignatius of Antioch to the Ephesians

What has become of the philosopher? What of the controversialist? What of the vaunting of the so-called intellectuals? The fact is, our God Jesus Christ was conceived by Mary according to God’s dispensation of the seed of David, it is true, but also of the Holy Spirit. He was born and was baptized, that by His Passion He might consecrate the water.

**19. And the Prince of this world was in ignorance of the virginity of Mary and her childbearing and also of the death of the Lord–three mysteries loudly proclaimed to the world, though accomplished in the stillness of God! **How, then, were they revealed to the ages? A star blazed forth in the sky, outshining all the other stars, and its light was indescribable, and its novelty provoked wonderment, and all the starry orbs, with the sun and the moon, formed a choir round that star; but its light exceeded that of all the rest, and there was perplexity as to the cause of the unparalleled novelty. This was the reason why every form of magic began to be destroyed, every malignant spell to be broken, ignorance to be dethroned, an ancient empire to be overthrown–God was making His appearance in human form to mold the newness of eternal life! Then at length was ushered in what God had prepared in His counsels; then all the world was in an upheaval because the destruction of death was being prosecuted.

What I find interesting about this is that Ignatius includes as a mystery the virginity of Mary as though it were something special. At least special enough for it to have enormous consequences on the “Prince” of this world. Wouldn’t she be just one of the many virgins in her day? What makes her virginity so special?

Just some thoughts.

God bless,
Ut

 

[marlo]

It is clear by this writing of St. Gregory the Wonderworker that the Theotokos did not became immaculate when greeted by the Angel as you believe, heard and taught by Other EO when they are converting you.,And a good point that the Saint has proven that this belief of Eastern Orthodox is Wrong

Sorry. I just don’t see the RC doctrine of the IC in this writng. I think you are reading your own bias into it.

The language is poetic and beautiful–but far from proving a doctrine which was formulated in the 19th century.