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The Orthodox Church calls Mary ‘immaculate’ or ‘spotless’ (achrantos in Greek). Some Orthodox state that she was free from actual sin, some say she never sinned, and others just say she died sinless.
As for [[Original Sin|original sin]] and the [[Roman Catholic]] doctrine of the [[Immaculate Conception]], the Orthodox Church has never made any formal and definitive pronouncement on the subject. The majority of Orthodox have rejected the doctrine, for it seems to separate Mary from the rest of mankind, putting her in a completely different class from all the other righteous men and women of the [[Old Testament]]. It is important that Mary was the same as all mankind so that all Christians can follow her example and submit to God’s will. Also, the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception implies an understanding of original sin not held by the Orthodox Church.
===Most blessed and glorified Lady===
The Orthodox Church honors the Mother of God on account of the Son. St. [[Cyril of Alexandria]], along with the Fathers of the Council of Ephesus, insisted on calling Mary Theotokos not just to glorify her, but to safeguard a right doctrine of Christ’s person, the [[Incarnation]]. Orthodox Christians feel that one can not really believe in the Incarnation and not honor Mary.