The Virgin Mary: Why We Venerate Her

[@schatzi321]

In a world of "Boss Babes" and OnlyFans models, we need to have frequent conversations about the Theotokos. Women young and old need her example.

[@TheTransfiguredLife]

Facts!! 🎯🎯

[@FosterDuncan1]

Im a Protestant and would agreed with a lot of this stuff. I believe she was always virgin, Queen of heaven, that’s she prays for us , I’m agnostic about the assumption and could get over sinlessness. I see the arguments on both sides.Don’t think that’s preventing me from a conversion But the the biggest issue is asking her to saves us. I know ow they nuanced it saying her prays save us from sin. But not just that in liturgies I heard phrases like she the only protection of the faith, take grief away, make us holy for the eucharist, her prays are essentials for salvation, have mercy on us, that’s she has delivered us from numerous perils. All these elevate above mere asking from prays it’s it’s asign additional power and authority that’s she doesn’t possess

[@Fr.JonathanIvanoff]

Good questions! I remind all the time that the word "pray" comes from Old English means to ASK; it was the word chosen to translate the Greek, and it's a good choice. So when we pray to Mary, we are asking Mary, to pray for us and intercede for us before her Son. Now, "save" is a word that translates the Greek "soson" (like "so sohn") and means to deliver. That's it. And in the Scriptures, there are a lot of things that "save" : fire, baptism, faith, etc. So when we ask Mary to "save" us, we are asking her to deliver us from harm, danger, and the egregious works of the devil and his minions. Regarding the other parts of your question, please understand that much (not all, but certainly much) of our Church's hymnography is a very elevated form of poetry and dialogue that yet possesses and reveals profound truths. Written when it was, this was the way the Church chose to express her love, respect, and devotion to Our Lady. I hope this helps.

[@JacquelineRPrice]

This was great! Thank you for this. I watched this together with my husband and we paused it several times to talk about different things and my husband was especially awed and impressed by the quote from St. Hippolytus of Rome. He asked me to write down the quote. I think his actual words were, "Whoa! That's awesome!" And again with the quotes from St. Athanasius of Alexandria who we already have amazing respect for because of his defense against Arianism. What a rich video! Here's one personal line of questioning like a set of propositions I used with my husband regarding Mary as the Ark of the New Covenant. Which he immediately saw the truth of! Q: Where were the tablets of the original covenant housed? A: In the Ark of the Covenant (duh, that's its name). Q: Who is described in Scripture as THE new covenant in both Isaiah 42:6-7 and 49:8? A: Jesus, the Messiah. Q: In whose womb was housed Jesus, the New Covenant? A: In Mary's womb. Conclusion: It is therefore, right and reasonable that we should refer to Mary as the Ark of the Covenant since she bore, Jesus, the embodiment of the New Covenant in her womb. Sorry, for your cough, Fr. Jonathan. I hope you get better soon.

[@TheTransfiguredLife]

Thanks so much Jacqueline! We are glad you and hubby found it useful and we are always appreciative of your insights 😊 Love the trajectory of your Q&A for us recognizing Mary to be the Ark of the Covenant as seen in scripture. Love it sis! ☦️

[@sergioayala4379]

Thank you both for this Most Wonderful Presentation! I would really like for an engagement to take place between Father Jonathan and Dr. Gavin Ortlund on Our Most Holy Theotokos. Peace to both and blessed many years! Fr. Sergio

[@TheTransfiguredLife]

Thank you Fr.Serigo! Dr.Gavin Ortlund will be on this year (2024). Many years Father! ☦️

[@St.JohntheTheologianOrthodox]

This is our parish priest, Archpriest Fr. Jonathan Ivanoff. He did a wonderful job in explain this very important topic of the proper veneration and due honor of Mary. We hope that many people can take away a lot of good.

[@TheologyNerd777]

As you have seen, Marian prayers, veneration, and her place/role in the EO church are probably the biggest stumbling block for potential converts from Protestant/Evangelical backgrounds. The more time spent really discussing her role and how the early church writings/practices support that, would be helpful. Thank you!

[@Dragoncurve]

Hey guys great video. I’m considering either Greek Orthodoxy or Anglican Catholic for a new church home (I was raised Baptist). You are enlightening me greatly. I would LOVE to see more detail like you mentioned at the end. Especially in the mediator aspect of Mary. Thank you again and God bless you both.

[@TheTransfiguredLife]

Nice! We would love to be a support in any way. Is there a local Orthodox parish near you? Have you been to a divine liturgy?

[@Dragoncurve]

@@TheTransfiguredLife there is a Greek Orthodox parish yes. I reached out to their social media but haven’t attended yet

[@WilliamPotting]

I grew up honoring and loving the Holy Mother of God as a Roman Catholic. After leaving the Latin Church and being in the Protestant world for over a decade one of the things that always made me cringe was when Protestants borderline disrespect the Theotokos. She is our queen. Christ has glorified her and she prays for us unceasingly. Why would anyone reject the prayers she offers to our Lord on our behalf?

[@LambsServant]

Have you returned to the Catholic Church?

[@WilliamPotting]

@@LambsServant No I was received into the Orthodox Church this year.

[@LambsServant]

@@WilliamPotting ok. It’s better than Protestantism. You are always welcome to reconcile with Rome.

[@jamespong6588]

The fact that we even have to debate if we should honor/respect the mother of God boggles my mind

[@TheTransfiguredLife]

Exactly! It shouldn't even be contested. 💯

[@redeemed354]

1000%

[@LynnEmerson-ww8et]

Some people cannot grasp that NONE of us would B here if not for our MOTHER This includes God!! God would not exist without his VIRGIN MOTHER MARY!!

[@thesipesisrandom4534]

I agree sir, Protestants in America think Trump is more of a hero than Mary.

[@JohnAthen-mt5qx]

@@LynnEmerson-ww8et Please forgive this old reply. I am a Protestant who is trying to return to Christ after years of walking away from Him to live a life of sin. As I reread the New Testament I am convinced that the Protestant beliefs I once had are not biblical. As such I have been looking into the Orthodox Church. Is it required to believe in the Orthodox Church that God does not exist without Mary or am I misunderstanding your reply?

[@nikoletalappa2518]

Our blessed Mother! Our Passage to the Kingdom!

[@TheTransfiguredLife]

Amen! ☦

[@Topsurgeons2]

I am utterly grateful for this newfound knowledge of my Catholic faith. Thank you.

[@TheTransfiguredLife]

You are welcome! Also, do you mean Orthodox Catholic or Catholic as in Roman Catholicism?

[@antonioj.castaneda7377]

@8:45, I love this prayer and hymn to the Theotokos, "Underneath Thy Compassion". We used to sing it as a communion hymn at my old parish. Another great video, Luther and Fr. Jonathan. Christ bless you and yours!

[@TheTransfiguredLife]

God bless! Thank you brother! ☦️

[@andrewpirr]

The very Theotokos, thee do we magnify.

[@TheTransfiguredLife]

Amen!! ☦️☦️☦️

[@tamidavis7306]

For me, one thing that really resonated when I first was coming to terms with Marian veneration was her as the Ark of the New Covenant AND understanding that she did not only host flesh and blood in her womb, but the God if Gods, as the Word. Then the scenario where the man simply touched the Old Ark of the Old Covenant and died, not out of punishment, but because his flesh and matter could not live when being physically exposed to the holiness. Why then would Mary not have to be sanctified and holy in her own flesh to be able to house that which is uncontainable. I also look at the tradition that once something is used for a holy purpose, it is not reverted to common use; it is forever consecrated. To also look at Mary making an intercession to Christ, for the crisis when the wedding at Cana ran out of wine. Her prayer on the behalf of the wedding is what began Christ’s ministry. This is a topic that I’d love to hear more about. It just gets richer and richer the more I learn ❤❤❤

[@TheTransfiguredLife]

Amen! Well said! 😊💯💯

[@tamidavis7306]

@@TheTransfiguredLife 🙏🏼😌 🙏🏼

[@redeemed354]

Great session! This is probably my favorite topic! I have found so many exegetical nuggets regarding full blown proof Mary is VERY SPECIAL!

[@TheTransfiguredLife]

Thx! Glory to God! ☦️

[@shally89]

I love theses conversations Luther and Fr. Jonathan.

[@TheTransfiguredLife]

Glory to God! Thank you ☦️

[@Topsurgeons2]

I am in Roman Catholic, and I am grateful for finding your channel. I have been educated. All excellent points excellently defended. does the orthodox church follow any of the apparitions of the queen of heaven like Fatima that was what witnessed and documented worldwide by 70,000 people 70,000! it appeared in every major newspaper around the world 1917

[@Fr.JonathanIvanoff]

We do not follow the Marian apparitions of the R.C. church. Remember, cautiously, that the Scriptures warn us that Satan can disguise himself as an "angel of light", so be careful about these apparitions.

[@jamesbishop3091]

23:15 high level exegesis by Fr. Jonathan! 👏

[@TheTransfiguredLife]

🔥🔥🔥

[@scarletstevens]

Thank you so much for sharing gentlemen! Keep up the good work! 🙏🏼☦️

[@TheTransfiguredLife]

Thanks Scarlet, will do! ☦️

[@Contramundum429]

Wonderful job. I was so wrong on all of this. I will repent the rest of my life. Keep up the good work

[@TheTransfiguredLife]

Thanks for sharing! Glory to God! ☦️

[@josephseppe4473]

I have a special regard for and devotion to Mary because the Angel Gabriel greeted her with “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with Thee. Blessed art thou among women” (Luke 1:28). Also, Jesus, in His dying words from the cross, told the Beloved Disciple (who represents each of us) to “Behold thy Mother” (John 19:27)… Mary, in turn, reminds us to “do whatever He [Jesus] tells you” (John 2:5)… In the book of the Apocalypse of St. John the Apostle, we learn that “the dragon [Satan] was angered at the woman [Mary], and went away to wage war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God, and hold fast the testimony of Jesus” (Apocalypse 12:17)…

[@BrettSayles]

I appreciate your videos. Keep them coming!

[@TheTransfiguredLife]

More to come brother! God bless ☦️

[@NavelOrangeGazer]

Excellent topic! The Theotokos issues in protestantism and papalism are both excellent examples of deviation from the royal path of Orthodoxy. Paplism deviating to the right and in many cases offering truly bizarre innovative devotions, and protestantism to the left in their reactionarist denialism of her role in the story of salvation. I will disagree with Fr. Jonathan on whether there is definitly a subset of "mary worship" in papalism. There absolutely is basically a revival of the old heresy of collyridianism amongst many of the mostly latin american poorly catechized catholic regions especially the lands where syncretism of papalism and the local pagan customs is alive and well (voodu, santeria, caodaism, santa muerteism, etc.). Does the roman catholic church official teach it? No. But it creeps in and the abberations of the immaculate conception and trending towards the denial of her death and the mess these innovations make of her human nature pours fuel on this fire. On the protestant hand they are just mostly reactionaries to anything of Rome especially in America where spritiually or literally they are descendents of the purists of the English reformation. Anglo catholics cant openly venerate the Theotokos without causing another english civil war within their parashes. I think much of the protestant hatred (lets call a lot of it what it is) of Mary is due their hatred of ceilbacy and such and then comes the denial of the ever virginity and so on. Which inadvertantly gave birth to the modern western worship of sex. There is a church I've visited where the iconography of the feasts is painted in such a way that you can follow the Theotokos around the dome of the church. It really reinforces how she is the new Eve the Ark.

[@TheTransfiguredLife]

Thanks for your on the ground insight on what's happening in Catholicism. ☦️

[@adonisjryoutubr5025]

Very helpful video! Would love to get more on this topic for sure!

[@TheTransfiguredLife]

More to come! Thanks!

[@vsevolodtokarev]

We know Jesus was obedient to His Mother during childhood, He was heeding to Her pleas as an adult. Surely He is attentive to what She has to say in heaven. If only our prayers could reach to Her.

[@Fr.JonathanIvanoff]

Our prayers DO reach her, rest assured.

[@GnosticInformant]

I would argue that Mary fills in a void that was the Great Mother (Cybele). I know you would disagree but my main reason for thinking this is due to the Thraco-Phrygia region of Nicea & Constantinople was the very heart of the Great Mother worship. Paul says nothing about venerating Mary. But Paul did allow for the eating of meat sacrificed to idols, because he knew that the very people that his message would be received was those "Theosebeis" (god-fearers) who were the Hypsistarians of Asia Minor. And those Hypsistarians only worshipped Sabazios & Cybele. Gregory Of Nazianzus writes about them and their close proximity to the Christians & Jews in Cappadocia & Phrygia. They rejected Homer and most pagan rites were more aligned with Pythagorean/Platonic ideas that called for piety. They also rejected the Mosaic laws as something necesarry for salvation, but the sources indicate that they were in close relations to the Greek speaking Jews in Pergamum. These people, in my opinion, is who Paul was converting.

[@abigailwillis1656]

I've also heard this concern. That honoring Mary to the extent that she is in the Catholic and Orthodox Churches seems to be something many ancient and pagan religions would have done, having some sort of beloved goddess or Great Mother worship... doesn't necessarily make it wrong, but that's a pattern I noticed. Any response to this concern?

[@Greasy__Bear]

What's with protestants taking statements from the Bible and adding alone to them. Scripture alone, faith alone, and now christ alone.

[@TheTransfiguredLife]

True! By merely adding "alone" they have taken so much away from Holy Tradition ☦️

[@jonmack2437]

Martin Luther added the word “alone” in to the Bible. In response to the Roman Catholics he said something like ‘if the papists have a problem with my addition of the word alone, so be it. I will have it so. I WILL it’. If I’m not mistaken this quote is from Martin Luther’s table talks book

[@benyoung4854]

I personally would like to hear more of a Defense on the perpetual virginity of Mary. I think this is a hard one to grasp because of the bible saying Jesus had brothers and that Joseph " Didn't know her until". I've seen several videos from catholics on that point but I've been trying to find videos from the Orthodox perspective.

[@Fr.JonathanIvanoff]

Thank you, Ben, this certainly is a good suggestion and one Luther and I will talk about.

[@NavelOrangeGazer]

Holy tradition is that St. Joseph the Betrothed, note Betrothed as there was no consummation. He was older and a widower, hence his depiction in traditional iconography as such. The depictions of him being younger is a recent abberant development. By the time of Christ's public ministry he had reposed. The siblings were St. Joseph's children from a previous marriage and older than Christ. You can read about this in the Orthodox haigiographies about Ss. Joseph, James, and Jude and the various Theotokos feasts.

[@tamidavis7306]

I think you could possibly do a defense of Holy Tradition. I feel like that’s goes hand in hand with Sola Scriptura, but it is never fully delved into by many internet Orthodoxy pages, from what I’ve seen.

[@kylesilva4063]

I first want to thank my brothers and sisters who are orthodox, I greatly appreciate the orthodox faith. I will say theologically I have no issue with saying Blessed Theotokos, or even the imagery of her as the ark or second Eve. My primary issue is with praying to her or any Saint for that matter. Scripturally there are simply no examples of this that I have seen. So this leaves such a teaching in a realm of not being able to test it. How do I test the validity of something that has orally been passed down but is not in scripture? How can i confirm its from the apostles when i see no apostles speak of it?? or prophets from the OT as well, which of them taught prayer to the fathers?

[@TheTransfiguredLife]

Great question Kyle! Sorry for the delay. Thanks for your kind words we appreciate you too! In most cases the protestant perspective looks only for something in scripture as a way to test and it's based on that individuals understanding/opinion. That's not how the Orthodox approach the scriptures nor is how we approach the rest of Holy Tradition. For us scripture is a part of Holy Tradition and we accept ALL of the orthodox traditions of the Church whether given to us in orally or through the written form (2Thess 2:15). But 1st, we must remember not everything taught and believed by the church is laid out in scripture. This was admitted by St.John the Theologian concerning even Christ himself (John 21:25). 2nd, In the book of Maccabees we do see wholesomeness of prayers for the departed (2 Maccabees 12:46). So, if Jews pray for the dead what would be the fundamental issue of a saint praying for us? You have Jews during the crucifixion of Christ misunderstand & assume Jesus was calling out to Elijah to help him. They even wanted to see if Elijah would come and save him at that hour. One would think why would they mention that with such normalcy? If it was forbidden they would have had more reason to blaspheme him at his death instead of anticipation of whether he would receive aid from the prophet (Matthew 27:45-54). There is a lot that can be said but in short, the intercession of saints has always been a practice of the Church. We have reference to it from many early church Father's: St.Augustine, St Cyprian of Carthage, St Basil the great, St.John Chrysostom and many many more. Why did all these saints that are in direct continuity with the Apostles teach the intercession of saints? That's because it's always been the practice of the teaching of the Church. A more Orthodox way of testing what is true orthodoxy and true orthopraxy is a consensus amongst the Holy Fathers of the Church. St.Vincent of Lerins (434-450AD) puts it this way. He says: "Moreover, in the Catholic Church itself, all possible care must be taken, that we hold that faith which has been believed everywhere, always, by all. For that is truly and in the strictest sense Catholic, which, as the name itself and the reason of the thing declare, comprehends all universally. This rule we shall observe if we follow universality, antiquity, consent. We shall follow universality if we confess that one faith to be true, which the whole Church throughout the world confesses; antiquity, if we in no wise depart from those interpretations which it is manifest were notoriously held by our holy ancestors and fathers; consent, in like manner, if in antiquity itself we adhere to the consentient definitions and determinations of all, or at the least of almost all priests and doctors." God bless brother! ☦️💙

[@kylesilva4063]

@@TheTransfiguredLife i appreciate the response, my only question from it would be… is it seems like you are claiming that majority consensus among church fathers helps define apostolic doctrine. My concern is that it seems from scripture that isn’t the test prescribed for testing truth or authority. In Jesus’s day there were teachings that had been passed down as authoritative and Jesus called them traditions of men. On what basis did He do so? He did so based off the Word of God, what was given to them versus what was made up by the imagination of men. So, it seems that the safest route in regard to apostolic teaching is to cling to God’s word. I’m not against Tradition when it aligns with God’s word but when we have teaching that isn’t clearly taught in God’s word that should cause us to question its origin and doctrinal authority. Or is the claim that Church Fathers are at the same level of the prophets and apostles and therefore when they speak they are speaking from God?? Serious question, I am honestly trying to understand the idea of trusting consensus.

[@Fr.JonathanIvanoff]

@@kylesilva4063 It's not a matter of claiming that "majority consensus among church fathers helps define apostolic doctrine" since we can clearly read what the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th generations of Christians knew and TAUGHT as Apostolic Doctrine as seen in the writings of the Apostolic Fathers. I think St. Vincent of Lerins said it best when he wrote that we hold "that faith which has been believed everywhere, always, by all." It's not merely consensus, as if some can believe and others don't have to and can believe anything they want. Rather, it's the unanimous testimony of the ENTIRE One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church, speaking with ONE voice to the "faith once and for all time delivered to the saints." You also say, "In Jesus’s day there were teachings that had been passed down as authoritative and Jesus called them traditions of men." Yes, and he showed the Jews how they did not line up with the teachings of God. But you would be hard pressed to find a comparison between that and the Holy Tradition of the Church. St. Paul did say that we were to be faithful to the TRADITIONS handed to us by him (and presumably by the other Apostles) "whether by word or by letter." The hard truth is that the Bible doesn't teach us everything. How are we to pray? How are we to worship? When are we to fast, and how? The word "Trinity" is isn't in the Scriptures, how do we know it's not a "tradition of men"? Holy Tradition does not contradict Scripture, it compliments and completes Scripture, especially where Scripture is silent and gives no further details. Let me know if this helps, at least in part, to further your understanding.

[@kylesilva4063]

@@Fr.JonathanIvanoff I appreciate the response and it did bring clarity to your perspective. I still have concerns regarding various teachings and their apostolic authority. That being said I do thank you for taking time to respond and for the podcast. I’ve been learning much from y’all!

[@LynnEmerson-ww8et]

VIRGIN MOTHER MARY E LULUYUH!! MOTHER OF GOD!!!

[@LynnEmerson-ww8et]

To: jamespong6588 @ > "The fact that we even have to debate if we should honor/respect the mother of God boggles my mind." Some people cannot grasp that NONE of us would B here if not for our MOTHER This includes God!! God would not exist without his VIRGIN MOTHER MARY!! Mary-e-lulu-yuh.

[@francissweeney7318]

In the scriptures, the Queen of Heaven is only mentioned in Jeremiah 44: 16-26. The Queen of Heaven was a Babylonian pagan goddess condemed by God. That is truth.

[@Fr.JonathanIvanoff]

But, it was, nevertheless, mentioned, no?

[@francissweeney7318]

@@Fr.JonathanIvanoff The Queen of Heaven was not just mentioned in Jeremiah 44. It was revealed that she was a Babylonian pagan goddess and condemned.

[@KevinR820]

The entire “Mary“ veneration topic is a slippery slope to goddess worship. And you can see this anytime you look on Facebook comments in the Catholic groups. People have devolved into blatant worship and even calling her a goddess. Veneration is, at the very least, wholly unnecessary. And at the very worst, blatant idolatry. This is why it should be avoided entirely. We can all subconsciously appreciate that she was blessed. Nothing else is needed. Christ is sufficient. He is our only intercessor. We can go boldly and directly to the throne of God because of Christ and Christ alone. End of conversation.

[@francissweeney7318]

Mary was blessed among women,period. The rest is catholuc church apostasy. Mary was not deemed " The Queen of Heaven " until 1954. The Queen of Heaven was described in the old testament Jeremiah 44: 16-26. She was a pagan goddess condemned by God.

[@TheTransfiguredLife]

1st of all we aren't Roman Catholic. 2nd, Mary is the Queen. Read the scriptures and the Holy Fathers of the Christian Church and see for yourself.

[@rexlion4510]

Honoring Mary is totally unnecessary.

[@Orthoindian]

lol

[@NavelOrangeGazer]

I guess Luke 1 lied then....

[@TheTransfiguredLife]

The Apostles would disagree with you.

[@rexlion4510]

@@TheTransfiguredLife You wrote: "The Apostles would disagree with you." Where in the N.T. can we read that the Apostles prayed to Mary or gave her hyperdulia? They took her in and cared for her at Jesus' request, but that was honor and obedience given to Jesus, not religious reverence for Mary. Mary waited around praying with the rest of them in the upper room; she needed the Holy Spirit just like any of them (and any of us) do. When did the Apostles fawn over her or write that she was special in some way?

[@rexlion4510]

@@NavelOrangeGazer Did the angel say that mankind is supposed to honor Mary? No. Angels are ministering spirits sent by God to serve us who are inheriting selvation (Hebrews 1:14). Mary inherited salvation like any of us: by faith in God. Mary confessed God as her Savior (Luke 1:47). Yes, the angel honored Mary at God's instruction. Where are we instructed that honoring Mary _is necessary?_ Break out of your religious preconceptions and use the brain that God gave you. Where in the Bible does it say the Honoring Mary is necessary, for our salvation _or for anything?_

[@francissweeney7318]

The catholic church does not just " venerate " Mary. They have also made her a queen in heaven. The Queen of Heaven is in the Old Testament Jeremiah 44" 16-26. Mary deserves better treatment than given her by the catholic church. Jesus was in the begining, Mary was when her human parents produced her.

[@francissweeney7318]

@patriceagulu8315 How can anyone believe the invented Mary of the catbolic cburch ? The church which believes in a baptism without a name. Jesus said " Baptize in the name." Peter said " Baptize in the name of Jesus Christ." Jesus was in the beginning." John 1:1. Mary was not in the beginning, she was human born of 2 human parents.

[@francissweeney7318]

@patriceagulu8315 The trinity exists only in the deceived minds of the catholic church. The same deceived mind that removed God's 2nd Commandment. One of the 10 God himself wrote in stone. Beware the leaven of the catholic church. Does your church have any more inquisitions planned yet ?

[@inrmds]

@@francissweeney7318 this isn't a roman catholic channel

[@briandelaney9710]

@@francissweeney7318you’re a heretic. Please study the Scriptures and the Fathers and return to the True Faith