What do you think of such statements?

[Light of the East]

Okay, guys, I'm not trying to make my Orthodoxy be something based on being an anti-Catholic bigot, but when I read stuff like this:

The Brown Scapular is a small garment made of two pieces of brown wool, joined by strings and worn over the shoulders. It was first made known by Our Lady Herself, July 16th 1251, to St. Simon Stock, Vicar General of the Carmelite order. Our Lady has promised us ---“Whoever dies invested with this Scapular shall be preserved from the eternal flames. It is a sign of salvation, a sure safeguard in danger, a pledge of peace and of my special protection until the end of the ages."

I can't help but kind of think that this smacks more of superstition than of the necessary ascesis and theosis that we are called to in Orthodoxy. Am I wrong?

Comments?

 

[desertpelican]

Our Orthodox fathers may have made "off" comments, or minor traditions developed in local areas, but by and large I see the difference between Papists and conciliar Orthodoxy in regards to the Theotokos as a difference between the Mother in regards to her Child vs. a developed tradition that separates Mary from her Son. By this I mean, for us Orthodox we honor and tradition has properly held the Theotokos in connection to her role in redemptive history. She is related to her Son in a unique way that shapes the Church. For the Papists, I see their tradition as taking on an increasing development of ascribing to Mary roles, titles, and traditions as a standalone figure. This seems alien to our tradition.

 

[E.C.]

That's their tradition, and my former tradition. Leave them in their lane and we shall stay in ours.

I think it was St Theophan the Recluse who said, paraphrasing: don't worry about the heterodox; they have a savior who loves them. Worry about your own salvation.

 

[HTacianas]

Okay, guys, I'm not trying to make my Orthodoxy be something based on being an anti-Catholic bigot, but when I read stuff like this:

The Brown Scapular is a small garment made of two pieces of brown wool, joined by strings and worn over the shoulders. It was first made known by Our Lady Herself, July 16th 1251, to St. Simon Stock, Vicar General of the Carmelite order. Our Lady has promised us ---“Whoever dies invested with this Scapular shall be preserved from the eternal flames. It is a sign of salvation, a sure safeguard in danger, a pledge of peace and of my special protection until the end of the ages."

I can't help but kind of think that this smacks more of superstition than of the necessary ascesis and theosis that we are called to in Orthodoxy. Am I wrong?

Comments?

I prefer to think of things like that in the very words of the Roman Church on some Marian apparitions and miracles: They are worthy of belief. Note that one doesn't have to believe in them, only that if you choose to they are worthy of belief.

 

[ArmyMatt]

it does look like superstition, but at the same time it’s not really our concern.