KOINONIA ACADEMIC JOURNAL
This publication is dedicated in memory of Father Gerardus Marie Antonius Jansen (in religion Fr Norbertus). All articles may be used copyright free for any worthy purpose.
KOINONIA JOURNAL
VOLUME 2
VOLUME 2
January-March 2020
Paper 1
Hyperdulia versus latria
Catherine N Whittle DD and Luky Whittle PhD
Catherine N Whittle DD and Luky Whittle PhD
Abstract: The teachings of Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches regarding hyperdulia, the veneration of the Blessed Virgin Mary, as distinct from latria, the adoration due to God alone, constitutes a principal context within these traditions. The question whether any form of veneration whatever is due to any created being has been a matter for controversy for centuries. Hyperdulia is the specific degree of veneration offered to the Blessed Virgin Mary on account of the Virgin's eminent dignity as Mother of God. This should be distinguished from both latria, which is the worship due only to God, and dulia, the honour paid to other saints and to the angels. Hyperdulia has been dismissed by some as Mariolatry. This term is defined inter alia as the idolatrous worship of the Virgin Mary and an exaggerated degree of veneration of the Virgin Mary. Mariology, the term used by Catholics to denote the branch of theology which related to Mary, is defined inter alia as the theological study and the body of belief concerning the Virgin Mary. Concern has been expressed that in certain cases appropriate honour due to the Mother of God (hyperdulia) has been unduly replaced by worship owed to God alone (latria). It has been further posited that Mary has been raised by Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox traditions to the position of a female deity and as such worthy of divine worship and one to whom prayer should be addressed. This paper constitutes an endeavour to explore the authentic role of Mary within the Christian church with particular reference to hyperdulia versus latria within the Marian phenomenon.
Keywords: Eastern Orthodox, Hyperdulia, Latria, Lumen Gentium, Mariophobia, Mariolatry, Mariology, Protestantism, Roman Catholicism, Theotokos, Vatican Council II
Keywords: Eastern Orthodox, Hyperdulia, Latria, Lumen Gentium, Mariophobia, Mariolatry, Mariology, Protestantism, Roman Catholicism, Theotokos, Vatican Council II
To access this paper for download
click in the following link
