The Apostolic Tradition and the Bible are the two deposits of the Christian faith. These two sources of faith have authority not from any human origin but the divine. In other words, the Christian faith comes from divine revelation. When St Paul explains what Christians received from the Apostles in his letter to the Corinthians, he explains the divine origin of the Apostolic Tradition. It was Christ Jesus, the Incarnate Word of God, who handed down what the Apostles received. And Jesus repeatedly told his disciples that all he spoke came from his Father in heaven. Thus, his teaching is not human wisdom but divine revelation.
Throughout history, the Church carefully guarded and preserved the purity of the divine revelation. At the same time, the Church explained the revelation and gave specific guidance to the current challenges of the times.
Unfortunately, some Christians fall into a fundamentalist stance that refuses to explain the spirit of the revelation but wants to apply the Scriptures literally. On the other hand, some think Christianity can and should adjust its doctrines along the times and places.
Orthodoxy demands pastoral generosity and vigilant perseverance. In our times, when all traditional values and virtues are challenged, bishops and priests face an onerous task of balancing between embracing confused Christians and proclaiming authentic revelation.
I sincerely ask all Christians to pray for our clergy that the Holy Spirit may guide our bishops, priests, and deacons. I pray for them that they may teach what they received from the Apostles with boldness and clarity and gather the scattered sheep of Christ with their generosity and sacrifice.
