Question for Orthodox Christians

[HRAAB]

Do Orthodox Christians believe/celebrate the Immaculate Conception? I've wondered about this, and today my dd asked the same question. I told her I knew where to go ask. :001_smile:

 

Thank you.

[Sparkle]

The short answer is no. For a longer explanation see this link:

http://dce.oca.org/assets/templates/bulletin.cfm?mode=html&id=114

[HRAAB]

The short answer is no. For a longer explanation see this link:

http://dce.oca.org/assets/templates/bulletin.cfm?mode=html&id=114

 

Thank you for the link. This seems to have it's basis in the difference between Original Sin and Ancestral Sin? This will definitely give us something to think about and discuss today.

[Caitilin]

Not OC, but I think not, as it's rendered unnecessary by the EO understanding of original sin. OrthodoxWiki quote:

 

Most Orthodox reject the dogma of the Immaculate Conception as unnecessary. Because Orthodoxy does not see ancestral sin as an inheritance of guilt or a stain, there is no reason for the miraculous removal of either. Nonetheless, Orthodox tradition does hold that the Theotokos remained free of personal sin, a belief shared with some reformers such as Martin Luther.

[HRAAB]

Not OC, but I think not, as it's rendered unnecessary by the EO understanding of original sin. OrthodoxWiki quote:

 

Most Orthodox reject the dogma of the Immaculate Conception as unnecessary. Because Orthodoxy does not see ancestral sin as an inheritance of guilt or a stain, there is no reason for the miraculous removal of either. Nonetheless, Orthodox tradition does hold that the Theotokos remained free of personal sin, a belief shared with some reformers such as Martin Luther.

 

:001_smile: That's what I meant - just didn't say it very well. It does make me all the more curious about Ancestral Sin and raises more questions.

[milovany]

:001_smile: That's what I meant - just didn't say it very well. It does make me all the more curious about Ancestral Sin and raises more questions.

 

Here's an article that I read early on in our conversion about ancestral vs. original sin. It goes into further depth, describing the result of the difference between the two on salvation as a whole. It's kind of long, but I found it very interesting and insightful. Hope this helps!

Edited December 8, 2010 by milovaný

[Little Nyssa]

There may be an Orthodox 'strand' that states that the Theotokos is free from personal sin. But that is not the dominant teaching. The only person free of sin was Jesus Christ. This is what we were taught at an Orthodox seminary.

[mommaduck]

Not OC, but I think not, as it's rendered unnecessary by the EO understanding of original sin. OrthodoxWiki quote:

 

Most Orthodox reject the dogma of the Immaculate Conception as unnecessary. Because Orthodoxy does not see ancestral sin as an inheritance of guilt or a stain, there is no reason for the miraculous removal of either. Nonetheless, Orthodox tradition does hold that the Theotokos remained free of personal sin, a belief shared with some reformers such as Martin Luther.

EO here and, yes, this is accurate (with her personal sin being debatable...she was human after all).