Holy Tradition

The faith is transmitted through Scripture read within the living Tradition of the Church.

61%

Confidence

Supportive

Contrary

Neutral

What it is: The Orthodox Church understands the Christian faith as transmitted through Holy Scripture within the living life of the Church, often called Holy Tradition.

How the religion understands it: Tradition includes worship, councils, patristic writings, ascetic life, iconography, sacramental practice, and ecclesial continuity. Scripture is not separated from this context, but received, proclaimed, and interpreted within it.

Context: This belief brings Orthodoxy close to other ancient historical traditions, but with strong emphasis on the liturgical and patristic reception of the faith.

Supportive

1 Timothy 3:15

bible,church,tradition,orthodoxy

The Church is called the pillar and foundation of the truth.

Reference: 1 Timothy 3:15.
Content: The text calls the Church of the living God the pillar and foundation of the truth.
Use in debate: It is used to support the ecclesial dimension of the transmission of faith.

2 Thessalonians 2:15

bible,tradition,orthodoxy,scripture

Text about keeping the traditions received.

Reference: 2 Thessalonians 2:15.
Content: Paul exhorts the faithful to preserve the traditions received by word or by letter.
Use in debate: It is frequently cited in defense of continuity between Scripture and Tradition.

Vincent of Lérins, Commonitorium

patristics,tradition,orthodoxy,ancient-church

Classic text on the rule of what has been believed always, everywhere, and by all.

Reference: Vincent of Lérins, Commonitorium.
Content: The text formulates a traditional criterion of catholicity tied to continuity with what has been broadly believed in the Church.
Use in debate: It is relevant to the Orthodox idea of preserving the ancient faith.

Contrary

Mark 7:8-13

bible,new-testament,tradition,doctrinal-debate

Jesus' critique of human traditions that nullify God's commandment.

Jesus criticizes human traditions that, in his analysis, empty out the divine commandment. In controversies with Catholicism, the passage is frequently used to question the value of later ecclesial traditions. The Catholic response usually distinguishes normative apostolic tradition from abusive human customs.