Sacred tradition

Sacred tradition or holy tradition is a theological term used in some Christian traditions, primarily those claiming apostolic succession such as the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Assyrian, Catholic and Anglican traditions, to refer to the foundation of the doctrinal and spiritual authority of the Christian Church and of the scriptures.

The word "tradition" is taken from the Latin trado, tradere meaning "to hand over, to deliver, to bequeath". The teachings of Jesus and the Apostles are preserved in writing in the Bible as well as word of mouth and are handed on. This perpetual handing-on of the Tradition is called a living Tradition; it is the transmission of the teachings of the Apostles from one generation to the next. The term "deposit of faith" (Latin: fidei depositum) refers to the entirety of Jesus Christ's revelation, and according to Roman Catholic theology is passed to successive generations in two different but equal forms, sacred scripture (the Bible) and sacred tradition (through the Roman Magisterium).

In Orthodox theology, Holy Tradition is the inspired revelation of God and catholic teaching (Gk. katholikos, "according to the whole") of the Church, not an independent source of dogmatic authority to be regarded as a supplement to biblical revelation. Tradition is rather understood as the fullness of divine truth proclaimed in the scriptures, preserved by the apostolic bishops, and expressed in the life of the Church through, e.g., the Divine Liturgy and the Holy Mysteries (Eucharist, baptism, marriage, etc.), the Creed and other doctrinal definitions of the Seven Ecumenical Councils, canonical Christian iconography, and the sanctified lives of godly men and women.

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