Tradition in the Church
1. The Concept and Origin of Tradition
His Holiness explains that tradition is older than the Holy Bible, as mankind lived with God before any written scripture existed. Abel’s offering, Noah’s distinction of clean animals, and Abraham’s knowledge of priesthood and tithing—all came through divine oral transmission, that is, tradition.
2. Definition of Tradition
Tradition is defined as every teaching not written in Scripture but handed down through the apostles or the fathers, never contradicting the Bible. It is the continuation of God’s revelation preserved by the Church.
3. Tradition in Both Testaments
Tradition existed in the Old Testament before the Law, and also before the Gospels in the New Testament. The apostles preached and taught before any Gospel was written, and St. Paul entrusted Timothy with what he had received from Christ to pass on to others, creating a living chain of faith.
4. Scripture Does Not Contain Everything
His Holiness stresses that the Bible does not record all the words and deeds of Christ. Many teachings were preserved and transmitted by the Church through practice, not writing.
5. Types of Tradition
Tradition is divided into:
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Written Tradition: recorded in Scripture.
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Oral and Practical Tradition: lived and practiced by the Church in her worship and sacraments.
6. Practical Examples
Through tradition, the Church learned:
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To sanctify Sunday instead of Saturday.
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To practice the seven sacraments like the Eucharist and priesthood.
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To pray for the departed.
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To make the sign of the cross and perform liturgical rites.
All were received through apostolic living, not merely through writing.
7. True vs. False Traditions
Christ condemned human false traditions that opposed God’s commandments, not the divine apostolic tradition. The Orthodox Church keeps the holy, God-given traditions in harmony with Scripture.
8. Spiritual Essence
Tradition is not a memory of the past but the living life of the Church in the Holy Spirit, preserving and transmitting the true faith through generations as the living Body of Christ in the world.
