Tradition
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III clarifies in this lecture that tradition (the handing over) preceded the Holy Bible, and that the ancient religious life of people was built and transmitted orally and communally before the sacred books were written. He gives examples from the Old Testament and the New Testament to support this statement.
Examples from the Old Testament
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III explains examples like Abel, Adam and Noah who knew worship and offering sacrifices by tradition, and points out that the idea of priesthood, tithes, circumcision and sanctifying places were practiced before there was a written law with Moses.
Examples from the New Testament
He explains that Christ taught his disciples orally for forty days after the resurrection, and taught methods of worship and the sacraments (like the Eucharist, baptism and anointing) practically, so these instructions were passed on as a living practice in the Church from generation to generation without being all written in the book.
The nature of tradition and its divisions
Tradition is divided into two main elements: the oral teaching (what was said and its teachings) and the teaching that became life (the practices of the Church and its mysteries). The Church preserved this apostolic handing-over as a source of practical spiritual life that is indispensable.
Spiritual and educational dimension
From a Coptic Orthodox faith perspective, the speaker sees tradition as the continuation of revelation in the life of the Church; it embodies the preservation of the mysteries and rites that convey Christ’s grace practically. It also teaches the importance of respecting the apostolic handing-over as the pillar of unity, correct faith and ecclesial life.
Conclusion and practical effect
Tradition is not an empty custom but a living teaching and regular practice that helps the Church remain united in worship and holiness, and neglecting tradition leads to losing aspects of the spiritual and liturgical life that the Church inherited from the Fathers.
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