Talk:Feast of the Immaculate Conception
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In the Wikipedia Article entitled “Feast of the Immaculate Conception”, there is a phrase which states: “A feast called the Conception of Mary arose in the Eastern (Catholic) Church in the seventh century.”
It should be pointed out first of all, that there was no such thing as the Eastern Catholic Church in the seventh century. There was one holy, catholic, apostolic church, and parts of it were in the East and part of it was in the West.
Secondly, it should be pointed out that this feast in the East has nothing to do with the Roman Catholic dogma or feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin – a concept applied to it much later, and only in the Roman Church. It is true that we speak of the Holy Virgin Mother of God as sinless, spotless, most pure, and ever-virgin. Some unfortunately use the Western term ‘immaculate’. This confuses the faithful into mistakenly thinking that the “Immaculate Conception” of the Virgin is a teaching of the Orthodox Church. It also confuses those in the Roman Church who are looking for historical validation of a theological point of view which doesn’t exist.
The Wikipedia article about John Duns Scotus which links to this page with the word ‘feast’ asserts that the feast of the Immaculate Conception existed in the East since the seventh century. This is not accurate. The feast which exists in the East is the Feast of the Conception of the Virgin, and it has more to do with the removal of Saint Anna’s shame at being childless than it has to do with any statement that the Virgin was born without sin.
The icons of the feast include many which show Saints Joachim and Anna in an embrace.
Thirdly, this feast is not a major feast of the Eastern Church.
Finally, it should be remembered that in the Eastern Church, the term ‘doctrine’ or ‘dogma’ is applied only to theology pertaining to the Holy Trinity, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. It applies to theology about Our Lord’s birth, of course, but does not apply to the life of His Most Holy Mother in any other way.
The Sessional Hymn from Matins of the Feast: In days of old, the choir of the Prophets Proclaimed the pure and immaculate divine maiden and Virgin, Whom Anna conceives, though she is barren and childless! We bless her today with gladness of heart! For we have been saved for the sake of the one// Who alone is pure and spotless!
John Udics 07:59, 7 December 2006 (UTC)
[edit] Citations and such
This article needs some citations, particularly for the lengthy quote, and regarding the generalizations about certain theologians and philosophers. I will try and get to those, but I am unsure of where to find information on negative statements (i.e. "Bernard and Thomas Aquinas could not see theological justification for this teaching"...incidentally, which Bernard is being talked about here?) although the Catholic Encyclopedia might have some answers.
Also, the comments about the Eastern Church would well be incorporated, so I hope the contributor...contributes to the actual article at some point. It would be nice not to get "sectarian" about it, but there are some important and valid points to be made.
And I removed the comment about the doctrine taking "a long time" to develop, as this is a very relative statement. What is a "long time" in the context of doctrinal development? Zerobot 07:37, 10 December 2006 (UTC)
[edit] Irish holiday
Trying to find the exact detail, but only Irish catholic-run schools close on Dec 8th every year (this means lots of parents take the day off to shop etc) but I don't think it's a civil service holiday. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 77.56.61.222 (talk) 10:12, 8 December 2007 (UTC)
[edit] Solemnity, not Feast
Since the calendar reform of the Second Vatican Council, this celebration has had the rank of a solemnity, not of a feast. I think that all references to it should be changed.76.123.203.164 (talk) 16:42, 8 December 2007 (UTC)
