The Protestants and the Denial of Rituals
In this lecture His Holiness Pope Shenouda III speaks about the importance of rites in the Church and their role in unifying worship and preserving doctrine across the generations.
Main idea
He affirms that although some Protestant churches deny rites, the rites themselves exist among them practically, and that rite is necessary to organize worship and to preserve the unity of churches.
Rites and the scriptural support
He explains that rites are not a human innovation but have biblical and historical roots: Scripture presents examples of order and rites in the Old Testament and the New Testament, and the apostles practiced arrangements like the handing over of the Eucharist and the laying on of hands.
The sacraments and the cooperation of the Holy Spirit
He asserts that the sacraments (baptism, confession, the priesthood…) are works of the Holy Spirit and not mere human ceremonies, and that attacking rites means diminishing the work of the Spirit in the Church.
Rite as a pedagogical spiritual tool
He emphasizes that rite gives practical doctrinal lessons especially to the uneducated, children and rural people, for the senses are nourished by the scenes (icons, incense, hymns) and faith becomes rooted in souls.
Church unity and order
He points out that order and rites unite churches throughout the world; without order confusion arises and denominations multiply. Rite connects the Church to its history and to the tradition of the apostles.
The effect of rites on spiritual life
He notes that rites grant a special reverence and spiritual entrance when approaching the sanctuary and communion and house blessing rites, strengthening faith and giving a perceptible spiritual blessing.
A call to study and tradition
The Pope calls to study the rites with the evangelical support for each rite and to acknowledge that the details are left to tradition and the ecclesiastical authority appointed to the Church for preservation and order.
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