What is…

What is Holy Tradition?

Holy Tradition is the living faith of the Church across the ages — the ongoing presence of the Holy Spirit guiding her into all truth.

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The Heart of It

Holy Tradition is the totality of the Church's life in the Holy Spirit — the Scriptures, the Ecumenical Councils, the writings of the Fathers, the liturgical worship, the canons, and the icons. It is not merely past custom but the ongoing presence of the Holy Spirit guiding the Church into all truth.

Holy TraditionDoctrine Explainer
§ 01 — The Teaching

What the Church holds.

Scripture, the Councils, and the lived Liturgy — held together. These are the load-bearing points.

01Section 1

Scripture and Tradition

  • Orthodox Christianity does not separate Scripture from Tradition — the Bible is part of Holy Tradition.
  • The canon of Scripture was itself determined by the Church through its Tradition.
  • Sola Scriptura ('Scripture alone') is not an Orthodox principle; the Church interprets Scripture within the Tradition.
  • The Holy Spirit guides both Scripture and Tradition, ensuring their unity and coherence.
02Section 2

What Constitutes Holy Tradition?

  • The Holy Scriptures — Old and New Testaments.
  • The decisions of the Seven Ecumenical Councils.
  • The writings of the Church Fathers.
  • The liturgical texts and practices of the Church.
  • The canons of the Church.
  • The holy icons.
03Section 3

Tradition as Living Reality

  • Tradition is not a museum of the past but the living presence of the Holy Spirit in the Church.
  • The Church can develop her expression of Tradition without contradicting the deposit of faith.
  • Authentic Tradition bears the marks of continuity, universality, and apostolicity.
Next Steps
✦   Where to next?

Step from doctrine into prayer.

Doctrine becomes prayer becomes life. The Liturgy, the Jesus Prayer, and the parish near you are where the words on this page take flesh.

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