Orthodoxy: A Treasury of Tradition

The term “tradition” derives from the Latin traditio, the noun form of the verb trado, which means “to hand over” or “to hand down.”

The identical Greek term is παράδοσις (parádosis) which means “to give over,” or “to hand down,” by word of mouth or in writing.

The concept behind both words, παράδοσις and traditio, is absolutely foundational in the Orthodox Faith.

Holy Tradition is the deposit of faith given by Jesus Christ to the Apostles and “handed down” in the Church. This Tradition is “the life of the Holy Spirit in the Church.” It is dynamic in application, yet unchanging in dogma. It is growing in expression, yet ever the same in essence.

Many conceptions of tradition in popular understanding, mean something which grows and expands over time, forming a collection of practices and doctrines which accrue.

The Orthodox Church, however, views Holy Tradition as the unchanged faith passed from Christ to the Apostles and preserved through Apostolic Succession, not as something gradually expanding and eventually unrecognizable to the first Christians.

Holy Tradition is that same faith which Christ taught to the Apostles and which they gave to their disciples, preserved in the whole Church and especially in its leadership through Apostolic Succession.

Holy Holy Tradition in the Bible Curiously, as understood by many heterodox (non-Orthodox) Christians, Tradition stands in contrast to Scripture.

Nonetheless, there are a number of references in Holy Scripture itself to Holy Tradition. For example:

• Many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things which have been fulfilled among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus, that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed. Luke 1:1-4 (Note: In this instance, the oral word preceded the written word. Hence, Holy Tradition.)
• And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name. John 20:30-31
• I wrote to you in my epistle not to [a]keep company with sexually immoral people. Yet I certainly did not mean with the sexually immoral people of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. 1 Corinthians 5:9-10 (Note: Here Paul makes a reference to a letter written to Corinth before the letter we know today as 1st Corinthians. This letter is unknown to modern scholars.
• Now I praise you, brethren, that you remember me in all things and keep the traditions just as I delivered them to you. 1 Corinthians 11:2
• Now when this epistle is read among you, see that it is read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you likewise read the epistle from Laodicea. Colossians 4:16 (Note: The “epistle from Laodicea” is not available to us today is written form.)
• Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle. 2 Thessalonians 2:15
• But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which [a]he received from us. 2 Thessalonians 3:6

Liturgical Tradition
The Orthodox Church today is an invaluable treasury of the rich liturgical tradition handed down from the earliest centuries of Christianity.

The sense of the sacred, the beauty and grandeur of the Orthodox Divine Liturgy, make the presence of heaven on earth alive, experiential, and intensive.

Orthodox Church art and music has a very functional role in the liturgical life and helps even the five bodily senses participate in, and experience, the spiritual grandeur of the Lord’s mysteries.

Orthodox icons are not simply beautiful works of art which have certain aesthetic and didactic functions. They are primarily the means through which we experience the reality of the Heavenly Kingdom on earth.

The holy icons enshrine the immeasurable depth of the mystery of Christ’s incarnation in defense of which thousands of martyrs sacrificed their lives.

The Orthodox liturgical tradition purposefully and deliberately involves all five senses during its worship services, recognizing that human beings are holistic creatures who experience and express their faith through various sensory channels. This multi-sensory approach helps worshippers to enter into a deeper and more profound encounter with the Divine during the sacred act of worship.

Sight
Orthodox churches are rich in visual symbolism. Icons, depicting Christ, the Virgin Mary, saints, and biblical scenes, adorn the walls. These icons serve as windows into the heavenly realm, aiding worshippers in focusing their thoughts on spiritual matters. The architecture of Orthodox churches often includes elements like domes, iconostases (icon screens), and candle-lit interiors, all contributing to a visually immersive worship experience.

Hearing
The Divine Liturgy involves a rich array of sounds, including chanting, singing, prayers, and Scripture readings. The chanting of hymns and Psalms, often performed a capella, creates an atmosphere conducive to prayer and meditation. The prayers and Scripture readings are essential auditory elements of the service, conveying the Word of God to the worshippers.

Smell
Incense has a prominent role in Orthodox worship, as its use of incense dates back to the Old Testament times and is deeply rooted in the tradition of the Church. The sweet aroma of incense is used represents the prayers of the faithful rising up to God and being favorably received by Him. Filling the air during the services, it creates a sense of sacredness and reverence.

Taste
The central act of worship in the Orthodox Liturgy is the Eucharist, or Holy Communion, where worshippers partake of bread and wine, which we believe has become the Body and Blood of Christ. This act engages the sense of taste in a profound way, as believers receive the Sacrament with reverence and faith, understanding it as participation in the divine life of Christ.

Touch
Worshippers engage in various physical acts of reverence and participation during the service. This includes crossing themselves, standing, bowing, kneeling, and venerating (kissing) icons and other sacred objects. The physical movements and gestures involve the whole person, connecting the body and the soul in prayer and worship.