[Pyro7480]

In the more specific sense of being "preserved" from Original Sin, however, she becomes something other than human and the Fathers are quite clear that she was fully human. If she did not share the "distortions" of the Sin of Adam, then two problems arise. First, she had no need of the theosis made available to us through the Incarnation, yet the Fathers are quite clear that she was saved by the Incarnation and second, Christ was born of something other than a human being. That's the problem with the dogma of the Immaculate Conception.

Have you read Blessed Pius IX's dogmatic declaration on the Immaculate Conception? From what I have gathered, the Immaculata had the graces of the Incarnation, Passion, and Death of Our Lord applied to her at her conception, since the fruits of His Redemptive work are for all eternity. The dogma also affirms that she is indeed a creature.

[Kolokotronis]

"Have you read Blessed Pius IX's dogmatic declaration on the Immaculate Conception?"

Oh yes, I've read it as have real Orthodox theologians (as opposed to country lawyers dabbling in it!:))Like I said, it seems to be a result of the base problem created by +Augustine's formulation of Original Sin. To my eyes, the declaration is internally inconsistent but again undoubtedly necessary if one wishes to preserve +Augustine's innovation.

One fascinating side light to all of this is that the declaration, one way or the other, seems to have had no effect on how we all respond to Panagia. Of course, that is because it really speaks to the nature of Christ and the Incarnation fundamentally.

[jo kus]

Have you read Blessed Pius IX's dogmatic declaration on the Immaculate Conception? From what I have gathered, the Immaculata had the graces of the Incarnation, Passion, and Death of Our Lord applied to her at her conception, since the fruits of His Redemptive work are for all eternity. The dogma also affirms that she is indeed a creature.

Exactly. Since the OT prophets were saved by the Incarnation "retroactively", so was Mary. Christ's work saves those of the past, present and future.

Brother in Christ