Apostolic Tradition and Apostolic Transmission
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III speaks about the concept of Apostolic Tradition or Apostolic Transmission, explaining that it is not merely church customs or human opinions, but rather the teaching that the Lord Christ delivered orally to the apostles, who then transmitted it to the Church from generation to generation under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Tradition and the Gospel
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III explains that the Holy Bible did not record everything that the Lord Christ said or did, but selected only some events and sayings. Therefore, much teaching remained preserved in the life of the Church and in its spiritual memory, which is known as Tradition or the Oral Gospel.
The Testimony of the Holy Bible
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III cites many biblical passages that confirm that the Lord Christ and the apostles preached the Gospel years before the Gospels and Epistles were written, which indicates the existence of an oral proclamation and teaching that preceded the written texts and was transmitted among believers through Apostolic Transmission.
Tradition as Life, Not Only Words
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III emphasizes that Tradition is not merely theoretical teaching, but a life lived by the apostles and delivered to the Church. The words of the Lord Christ became a spiritual and worshipful life that was passed from generation to generation and preserved by the Church throughout the ages.
The Role of the Apostles in Transmitting the Teaching
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III explains that the apostles focused on the ministry of the word and witnessing to Christ more than on writing. Therefore, much of their teaching and preaching was not written in the Holy Scriptures, but remained preserved in the Church through Apostolic Tradition.
Examples of Church Tradition
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III points out that many matters in the life of the Church were transmitted through Tradition, such as certain rites, prayers, ordinations, the practice of the sacraments, the sign of the cross, and other practices that the Church received and preserved through the generations.
Tradition Throughout Salvation History
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III explains that the principle of transmission from one generation to another existed from the earliest ages before the writing of the Holy Scriptures, as many teachings, commandments, and acts of worship were passed on orally before being recorded in books.
The Spiritual Message
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III calls for understanding the Orthodox faith as an integrated life and teaching, where the Holy Bible and Apostolic Tradition work together in preserving and transmitting the faith under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, who keeps the Church in the truth throughout the generations.
Conclusion
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III sees Apostolic Tradition as the living continuation of the teaching of the Lord Christ and the apostles within the Church, and that it includes what was written and what was transmitted orally and preserved in the life, worship, and faith of the Church throughout history.
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