AW: [SEELANGS] AW: [SEELANGS] Coredemptrix

Tue Sep 7 21:14:27 UTC 2010

Dear Olga and Rolf,
I initially asked only for a potential Russian translation of the word "coredemptrix," doubting that it would exist, or at least doubting that it would be meaningful in the Orthodox context, since I had previously published an entire book on veneration of the Mother of God in Russia and did not recall any notion of a coredeemer among Russian Orthodox believers or theologians.  Then I made the mistake of copying a footnote from my book in progress about Christian attitudes toward Mary.  The book is not about Slavic studies, but is more properly in the field of religious studies.  There are atheists in this latter field, and I am one of them.  However, SEELANGS is a list for Slavists, so I will not comment on the theological assertions which have been made here.  I do welcome any information (off-list) from you about any books or articles which you have published about Mary.

With regards,
Daniel R-L.

On Sep 7, 2010, at 1:26 AM, FIEGUTH Rolf wrote:

Dear Olga,

you are quite right in stating that Mary cannot be a deity for Christian believers, even for Her most ardent and deepest venerators. But it is precisely for this very reason that "coredemptrix" is an inacceptable concept and term outside the Roman Catholic Church, since it puts Mary on the same level as Jesus Christ. 
Best wishes to you and Daniel,

Rolf Fieguth
________________________________________
Von: SEELANGS: Slavic & East European Languages and Literatures list [SEELANGS at bama.ua.edu] im Auftrag von Olga Meerson [meersono at GEORGETOWN.EDU]
Gesendet: Dienstag, 7. September 2010 04:30
An: SEELANGS at bama.ua.edu
Betreff: Re: [SEELANGS] AW: [SEELANGS] Coredemptrix

Mary is NOT a deity, at least not for Orthodox or roman Catholic believers. Daniel, if you write such a thing, it is like claiming that Russians' reverence for Pushkin proves they [ we believe he is a god. A nice metaphor but not true literally. Not all veneration is deifying. Certainly not the veneration of the Mother of God in the eyes of those who venerate Her. Isn't it logical that they should be consulted on what they believe? If you write that She is "an important deity" for the Orthodox, be prepared for the whole publication you are contributing to to be compromised by such a statement. perhaps there is other compromising evidence in your book but I hope not so. It is amazing how the same people who uphold fairly high standards for their own fields of scholarship say all kinds of nonsense about religion and theology! There are things to know about theological matters, and if you don't know them, it is prudent not to talk about them--if only to uphold your own intellec!
tu!
al reputation.
Respectfully,
o.m.

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