Holy Scripture

Holy Scripture

In Orthodox Christianity, Scripture is not approached as something that exists independently of the Church, but as something that emerged from within the life of the Church itself. The Bible is the written crystallization of a faith that was first lived, prayed, and proclaimed in the worshiping community.

Scripture is not treated as a self-interpreting legal document or instruction manual that can be decoded in isolation. It is the Church’s book, born out of her liturgy and tradition, and it is properly understood only within that same liturgical and patristic context.

This is why the Gospel holds a central place in Orthodox worship. Every Sunday it is carried in procession with candles and incense, kissed and venerated, because these are not merely inspiring words or historical records, but the living voice of Christ speaking to His people.

Orthodoxy does not separate Scripture and Tradition as two competing sources of authority. Scripture is Tradition written down, and Tradition is the ongoing life of the Holy Spirit guiding the Church into all truth, preserving the same faith across generations.