One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic
The Church
In the previous two issues, we spoke about the Church as the House of God and as the community of believers.
Today, we wish to continue our discussion about the Church as the community of believers, and we say that among its attributes are that it is:
One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic.
One:
We say in the Creed, “We believe in one Church.”
It is one, not in terms of administration or leadership, but in terms of faith and doctrine.
In this, the Apostle Paul says: “Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism.” (Ephesians 4:3–5)
The Church is one because it is the one Body of Christ.
It is a unity to which Christ called and for which He prayed.
He said: “There will be one flock and one Shepherd.” (John 10:16)
And He prayed to the Father, saying: “Keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are… that they all may be one in Us… that they may be one just as We are one.” (John 17:11, 21, 22)
How wondrous is the unity of this Church, which is likened to the unity that exists between the Father and the Son!
It is unity, not mere cooperation, but unity in faith, for the Church used to cast out from its midst anyone who deviated in faith and reject his fellowship, while the believers remained united in one faith.
Holy:
The Church is holy, purified by Christ through His precious blood.
As the Apostle Paul says (Ephesians 5:26–27): “That He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious Church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.”
Therefore, the Church used to separate sinners from its midst, so that it might remain a community of saints.
The believers in the early Church were called “saints,” as we read in the epistles of the Apostle Paul.
And only the saints partook of the Holy Mysteries — “The Holies are for the holy.” Hence, the Liturgy (after the dismissal of the catechumens) was called “the Liturgy of the Saints.”
The Church is holy both in its life and in its teachings.
The Church consists of two groups of saints: those who are alive and those who have departed.
It is the image of God on earth and the sweet aroma of Christ.
Catholic (Universal):
That is, it includes all believers throughout the whole world.
This is what the Lord Jesus meant when He sent the disciples, saying:
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19)
“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15)
“You shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)
Apostolic:
That is, it is built upon the foundation of the apostles and their teaching.
As the Scripture says: “Having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone.” (Ephesians 2:20)
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An article by His Holiness Pope Shenouda III – Al-Keraza Magazine – Year 7, Issue 3, January 16, 1976
