The catholic Church of Christ is symbolized with a ship. Its KEEL represents the orthodox faith in the Holy Trinity. Its BEAMS and PLANKS, the dogmas and traditions of the Faith. Its MAST represents the CROSS; its SAIL and RIGGING represents HOPE and AGAPE (LOVE). The MASTER of the Vessel IS OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, WHOSE HAND IS ON THE HELM. The MATES and SAILORS are the Holy Apostles, and the Successors of the Holy Apostles, and all clergymen, secretaries and notaries, and occasional teachers. The PASSENGERS comprise all Orthodox Christians. The SEA symbolizes PRESENT LIFE. A GENTLE AND ZEPHYR LIKE BREEZE signifies WHIFFS AND GRACES OF THE HOLY SPIRIT WAFTING THE VESSEL ON ITS COURSE. WINDS, on the other hand, ARE TEMPTATIONS BAFFING IT. ITS RUDDER, whereby it is STEERED STRAIGHTFORWARD TO THE HEAVENLY HARBOR IS THE PRESENT HANDBOOK OF THE SACRED CANONS.
"ALL MEMBERS OF THE HOLY ORTHODOX CHURCH MUST (IN THE WORDS OF THE SEVENTH ECUMENICAL COUNCIL) ‘EMBRACE THESE DIVINE CANONS AND ADHERE TO THEM TENACIOUSLY, AS EXPOUNDED BY THE TRUMPETS OF THE SPIRIT OF THE LAUDABLE APOSTLES, OF THE HOLY ECUMENICAL AND LOCAL COUNCILS, WHICH HAVE ASSEMBLED FOR THE PROMULGATION OF SUCH PRECEPTS, AND OF THOSE OF OUR HOLY FATHERS. ILLUMINED BY THE SAME SPIRIT, THEY HAVE ENACTED WHAT IS PROFITABLE TO US.’"
SACRED TRADITION
"HOLY TRADITION IS EQUALLY AUTHORITATIVE IN ORTHODOXY AS HOLY SCRIPTURE THEREFORE ACQUAINTANCE WITH THE "PIDALION" ("RUDDER") IS OF UTMOST IMPORTANCE FOR THE PRACTICING ORTHODOX CHIRISTIAN. INDEED, WANT OF KNOWLEDGE OF THE CHURCH CANONS HAS BEEN A SOURCE OF NOT FEW IRREGULARITIES IN THE LIFE OF THE ORTHODOX CHURCH IN THE WESTERN WORLD. Orthodoxy polity and administration in this country have suffered much BECAUSE OF INSUFFICIENT REGARD FOR CANON LAW AND THE LACK OF DETERMINATION IN ENFORCING IT. Some would have us believe that the Canons ARE NOT BINDING AS THE DOGMAS OF THE CHURCH AND ARE MERELY OF RELATIVE AUTHORITY. BUT SUCH SERIOUS MISCONCEPTIONS HAVE BECOME PRODUCTIVE OF SEVERAL EVILS, SUCH AS ARBITRARINESS IN ADMINISTRATION AND DEPARTURES FROM TRADITIONAL PRACTICES AND USAGES
The time has come when the Orthodox Catholic Church, PARTICULARLY IN AMERICA WHERE SHE IS EXPOSED TO A HOST OF DANGERS, MUCH RE-AFFIRM THE AUTHORITY OF HOLY TRADITION AS ARTICULATED IN THE SACRED CANONS. She can make good her claims, AS THE TRUE CHURCH OF HISTORY AND ANTIQUITY, ONLY BY MAINTAINING HER HERITAGE AS FORMULATED IN THE COLLECTION OF ECCLESIASTICAL ENACTMENTS CONTAINED IN THE PIDALION.
What is the importance of a RUDDER of a ship? Without a rudder, a ship would lack precise control over its direction, making navigation unsafe and dangerous. IT IS AN INDISPENSABLE TOOL FOR STEERING AND IT ENSURES THE VESSEL RESPONDS EFFECTIVELY TO COMMANDS AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS LIKE WINDS AND CURRENTS. It also plays an important role in maneuverability. Without a rudder a ship would run aground and break up on the rocks and be destroyed. WITHOUT THE SACRED CANONS THE CHURCH WOULD BE IN DANGER OF LOSING ITS DIRECTION AND BE EXPOSED TO A HOST OF DANGERS AND INFLUENCES.
THE DUAL NATURE OF THE
SACRED CANONS.
1. DOGMATIC CANONS: The teachings and decrees established by
the Seven Ecumenical Synods (such as the Nicene-Constantinopolitan
Creed). These DEFEND THE FUNDAMENTAL THEOLOGICAL TRUTHS
AND ARE CONSIDERED ABSOLU2 TELY SACROSANCT AND UNCHANGING.
2, REGULATORY AND DISCIPLINARY CANONS: Guidelines governing practical
church life, clergy conduct, fasting, and the reception of converts. While highly
authoritative, these are applied with PASTORAL SENSITIVITY AND ECONOMIA
(the principle of compassionate DISPENSATION) DEPENDING ON THE
SPIRITUAL NEEDS OF THE INDIVIDUAL.
Why they Are Necessary
1. SAFEGUARD TRUTH: They protect the Church from HERESIES and
DEVIATIONS FROM HOLY TRADITION.
2. PREVENTING CHAOS: By outlining proper Episcolpal and Priestly
responsibilities, the ensure the Church OPERATES IN A STRUCTURED,
CONCILIAR WAY, PREVENTING LOCAL CONGREGATIONS FROM
SPLINTERING.
Having explained how indispensible the Sacred Canons of the Orthodox Church are they must be implemented and adhered to by all Orthodox Christians without exception. However, in recent years the attitude with some radical and "progressive elements" within the Church that is not the case. It is tragic and most alarming to hear an Orthodox hierarch today make the statement that "if even one of the canons of the Church cannot be implemented, then none of them should be adhered to." It has been said that in one of our Patriarchates the Rudder (Book of Canons) was given to its clergy but the majority of the clergy discarded them into the trash. This attitude is not only alarming but extremely dangerous for the Church. This would constitute an insurrection and heresy within the Church.
Are we to follow the heretics in the West and reduce our Holy Orthodox Church to simply another Protestant denomination? Without the discipline, the dogmas, the Holy Tradition, without the Sacred Canons etc. our Orthodox Christians would become vulnerable to all kinds of false teachings and doctrines. Upon his consecration as a bishop of the Church he takes the Oath to PRESERVE THE FAITH, TO DEVISE NOTHING CONTRARY TO THE NICENE-CONSTANTINOPOLITAN CREED AND THE TEACHINGS OF THE CHURCH, WHILE GUARDING AGAINST HERESIES AND SUPERSTITIONS. TO FOLLOW THE SACRED CANONS OF THE HOLY APOSTLES AND THE SEVEN ECUMENICAL COUNCILS. RULE THE DIOCESE OR METROPOLIS ENTRUSTED TO HIM RIGHTEOUSLY, AND COMMIT TO PERFORMING THESE DUTIES UNTIL HIS "LAST BREATH." Therefore, the responsibility of an Orthodox Hierarch is to PROTECT AND PRESERVE THE AUTHENTIC ORTHODOX FAITH AND CHURCH. (Resources: The Rudder)
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"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"
+ Saint John Chrysostomos
+ + +
With sincere agape in His Divine and Glorious Diakonia (Ministry),
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
+ Father George
The Eastern Orthodox Christian Ethos 