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Derek Barnett's avatar

Hey there Benjamin. Regarding your statement “Eastern Orthodox Council of Jerusalem 1672 decreed that, by “Divine Justice,” our Lady was subject not only to “bodily death,” but also “pains in child-bearing.”20 So much for the ancient teaching of the fathers that Mary was free from the curse of Eve.” Where is this in the confession because I have read it a few times and the confession of Dositheus actually rejects that Mary conceived with labor pains. Since the Dormition has been and is still celebrated in the eastern churches then this pious belief inherited since ancient times affirms Mary did in fact experience death or a falling asleep. Looking forward to your reply.

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Benjamin John's avatar

See footnote 20.

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Derek Barnett's avatar

Decree 7 states:

We believe the Son of God, Jesus Christ, to have emptied Himself, {cf. Philippians 2:7} that is, to have taken into His own Person human flesh, being conceived of the Holy Spirit, in the womb of the ever-virgin Mary; and, becoming man, to have been born, without causing any pain or labor to His own Mother after the flesh, or injury to her virginity, to have suffered, to have been buried, to have risen again in glory on the third day, according to the Scriptures, {cf. 1 Corinthians 15:3,4} to have ascended into the heavens, and to be seated at the right hand of God the Father. Whom also we look for to judge the living and the dead.

This decree states explicitly that Mary did not conceive in pain.

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Benjamin John's avatar

So it does! Thank you for pointing that out. If it weren't for that qualification, then Decree 6 would indeed be teaching the blasphemy- that confused me.

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Derek Barnett's avatar

All good brother. I like your articles. They are really deep and reflective and make sense. I’m still EO but at this point I kinda don’t know anymore regards which church (EO and Catholic) is the fullness and true one.

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