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This episode explores the Orthodox Christian tradition—and specifically Mary’s place within it—through a warm, curious conversation with philosopher and Orthodox theologian Dr. Michael Papazian. Together we look at how Orthodoxy understands salvation, worship, and church authority, then dive into what that means for honoring Mary.

• What makes Orthodoxy distinct? (spoiler alert: theosis, richly sensory worship, and a decentralized view of church leadership)
• How does Armenian Apostolic faith fit alongside Greek and Russian Orthodoxy—and why did some splits start centuries well before the Great Schism of 1054?
• Who is St. Gregory of Narek—monk, poet, and recent Doctor of the Church—and why do his 95 heart-piercing prayers (“Speaking with God from the Depths of the Heart”) matter today?
• What can Gregory’s Marian theology teach across traditions—about intercession, typology, holiness, and even women’s roles in the church?
• And how do Catholics and Orthodox differ (and overlap) on ideas like the Immaculate Conception?

It’s history without the dust, theology without the tribalism. We even play a quick round of “Which Mary Said It?”

The views expressed on Church Potluck are solely those of the participants and do not represent any organization.