Tradition

I would like to explain something very important in the Orthodox Church: Holy Tradition. This word can be confusing, because many people think “tradition” only means human customs. But in the Orthodox Church, Holy Tradition means the living faith of the Apostles, passed down to us in the life of the Church.

Holy Tradition includes both written and spoken teaching. Saint Paul tells the Thessalonians: “So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by letter” (2 Thessalonians 2:15). This shows us that the Apostles handed down the faith not only in writing (Scripture), but also in teaching and practice (Tradition).

Tradition is rooted in Christ Himself. Jesus told His Apostles, “He who hears you hears Me” (Luke 10:16). The Apostles passed on what they received from Christ. The Church has faithfully kept this living deposit of faith from generation to generation.

The Bible itself came from Tradition. The New Testament was written within the life of the Church, and it was the Church that preserved these writings and recognized them as Scripture. Saint Paul calls the Church “the pillar and bulwark of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15). Without the Church’s living Tradition, we would not even know which books belong in the Bible.

Tradition is guided by the Holy Spirit. Jesus promised the Apostles: “The Holy Spirit ... will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you” (John 14:26). Tradition is the work of the Holy Spirit, keeping the Church faithful to Christ through the centuries.

Holy Tradition is not the same as human traditions. Jesus warned against traditions of men that set aside God’s commandments (Mark 7:8). The Orthodox Church agrees. Human customs may change, but Holy Tradition is the unchanging faith of the Apostles. It safeguards the truth of the Gospel and helps us live it fully.

Tradition and Scripture belong together. In Orthodoxy, we never separate Scripture from Tradition. They are like two streams flowing from the same source: Christ. Tradition gives us the right understanding of Scripture, and Scripture confirms and strengthens Tradition. Both are gifts of the Spirit.

Holy Tradition is not something added to the Bible. It is the fullness of the Apostolic faith, the life of the Church, preserved by the Holy Spirit, and handed down from generation to generation.

With love in Christ,
Fr. Charles

Next Letter: The Kingdom of God