The Orthodox Veneration of Mary the Birthgiver of God

by John Maximovitch

Book Overview

This concise work is a classic exposition of how the Christian Church has venerated the Mother of God throughout the ages, and the chief errors which have attacked this veneration. It clearly tells... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0938635689
• ISBN13: 9780938635680
• Release Date: January 1994
• Publisher: St. Xenia Skete Pr
• Length: 88 Pages
• Weight: 0.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 5.4" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

An Eastern View of Mary

The place of Mary in the Church is certainly among the most contentious issues along the Protestant/Catholic divide. Thus it is useful to see how the issue is handled by those Churches in the East who have no part in the contentions of the Reformation era. This little booklet written by an Orthodox saint of the 20th century sets in clear and sometimes blunt language the differences between the Eastern and Western approaches to the question of Mary's role in the continuing life of the Church. Maximoviotch begins by covering the history of opposition to Mary's veneration among heretics and non-Christians in the patristic era and the condemnation of their errrors by the Church. Given the most attention are the two issues that most directly involved the Church's veneration of Mary: the Netorian heresy and the Iconclast controversy. In each, the Church sided with those who continued the tradition of Mary's veneration against new opponents of the practice. Even among those who do honor the Blessed Virgin, there is the temptation to add to the honors given to her by God and invent new doctrines that could tangentially lead to considering her on a par with Christ. Such beliefs ascribed by Maximovitch as "zeal not according to knowledge" include the Catholic doctrine of the Immaculate Conception which states that Mary was conceived without stain of original sin. This was not part of the patristic witness and even the most honored theologians in Catholicism (St. Augustine of Hippo and St. Thomas Aquinas) did not hold it. Maximovitch counters both extremes with the Orthodox ideal of the great holiness of Mary and the proper respect and honor given her by the Church that venerates her without seeking to deify her. In this context the Orthodox veneration is an acknowledgement of the role of Mary in the Church that is reflective of the honors she has already receieved from God. One thing that might be unnerving to some is Maximovitch's unquestioned acceptance of beliefs concerning the life of Mary that are generally considered to be little more than pious legend to the modern world. The translator of the work, Fr. Seraphim Rose, makes a point in the introduction that an Orthdoox Christian cannot pick and choose among the Church's tradition because of modern sensibilities anymore than one should compromise the teaching of the Holy Scriptures to accomodate contemporary sensibilities. It is to be accepted or rejected as a whole. The book closes with the Akathist to the Theotolos - the greatest of all devotional prayers to Mary in the Orthodox Church. This allows us to close this work by seeing the Orthodox veneration in its clearest form and removed from the sometimes arid confines of theological discussion. Orthdooxy, perhaps more than any other form of Christianity is one that has to be seen in practice through the prayers, devotions, and liturgies to fully understand. Although the words of prayers are ceraintly not the same as seeing them prayed (which in

The Worth of the Icons

Like any good academician, I was reading this book to get information. My two year old son walked up to me, took the book out of my hands, and kissed the Icon on the cover. Then he held the book up to my lips so that I could kiss the Icon, too. His understanding of the book was greater than mine.This book has good information. But it has Icons, too.

A monumental treatise

This book is truly a treasure for all Christians, especially those desiring to come to a closer understanding and relationship with our Mother. St. John not only expounds upon the orthodox beliefs and doctrine concerning the Theotokos, he also argues against the doctrines that have developed about her that are not orthodox, namely, the Immaculate Conception. This book is a joy to read, largely because it is so spritually refreshing -- in my opinion, one cannot find a better book to begin an understanding of our Mother. After finishing this great book, one cannot help but feel the embrace of our loving and gracious Mother who will be with us always.

The words of a Saint: extremely valuable.

I can't say enough good things about this book. First of all, it was written by one of the most pious men of the 20th Century, St. John of Shanghai & San Francisco. I recommend it to the three major forms of Christianity: Orthodox, Catholic & Protestant because it sets forth the Orthodox Church's understanding of Mary and cleary shows how their views of her are unique. For Orthodox, it outlines the Church's belief and serves as a good, concise explanation. I think it would be particularly valuable for Catholics & Protestants to read though. For Protestants so they don't confuse the Catholic teachings with the lesser known (in the west) Orthodox teachings. For Catholics because they will see why the Orthdox don't believe in certain Catholic teachings on Mary.This book isn't at all meant to be a theological debate book, or one that is intended to divide people. It is written out of love for the Holy Trinity, the Mother of God and the love of Truth. It seeks to unite and enlighten all. Its short length is also a plus. Its warth and simplicity is quite refreshing too. A highly recommended volume.

Clarity, concise, and true.

St John of Shanghi and San Francisco, a Saint of the Church (Eastern Orthodox) and of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russian (ROCOR or ROCA) writes with clarity, is concise and writes true about the Theotokos (literally God-bearer), and how Christians (Eastern Orthodox) venerate her. The Triune God is key in everything in Orthodoxy - and her role in accepting the Archangel Gabriel's message fully and willingly brought forth the God-Man - God and Man, the true Prototype of what each of us is intended to be, and can become. This book is essential in clarifying issues that are confusing to those coming into the Church from christian organizations who may have held heretical views without realizing the full impact of such. Among people, there is an expression, "Behind every great man stands his mother" - and there is certainly truth in that.