- This topic has 7 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 1 month, 3 weeks ago by
.
- Posts
Today Patriarchs are carrying on the ministry of the Apostles to the Orthodox Christian Church. The blessing of the Patriarchs comes from God through the Patriarchs, while the succession of the Patriarchs comes from the Apostles. When we say in our liturgy “through the prayers of our Holy Fathers” we are acknowledging that even to this day, the prayers of the apostles are still being answered by God as we continue to be pulled in by their nets. We are currently still part of the catch of men that they are still drawing in by the scriptures they left, and even within the scriptures the prayers they prayed over the churches, commanding that the letters and gospels be read to all the churches. Today’s Patriarchs continue the ministry passed on to them by the laying on of hands from the Apostles to now. Wow.
I love your phrase of how we are still part of that catch of men the apostles drew in; It’s not like this is news to me, but the vivid image and wording are beautiful! It is hard to remember that this all began with 12 men, well, ONE man/God! 😉
The prayers they passed onto the churches! Yes! As if we are keeping their very breath alive by the words they spoke being uttered so frequently by their successors.
Their writings are even said to be *eternal* if I am not mistaken. The scriptures will even last from now until the end of time and onto the world to come! Onto ages of ages, haha. Such a profound thought. Just like how our baptism and marriage are both eternal, as well! 🙂
The Patriarchs follow in the apostolic ministry of the 12 disciples of Christ and their followers who enlightened the world with the Gospel. They carry on the T/traditions and teachings that were sent forth by them.
Absolutely, but even more than this! We believe that the apostles even WALK ALONGSIDE the patriarchs, no?! Such a wonderful thought. They didn’t only leave a larger-than-life impact on the people of this world but also *continue* to make an impact through their intercessions and miracle-working prayers! Even stepping in by appearing to people for various things haha
What is the relationship between the role of today’s Patriarchs and the Apostles?
The Apostles are men Christ sent to bring the gospel message, the good news of Christ, to other people. They brought the grace of God with them and worked various miracles. These apostles made disciples (followers of Christ) of many people. Those disciples went on to share with others and make more disciples, and so on. The line of disciples has continued for over two thousand years. As a disciple of Christ, as a Christian, we all have varying callings. These callings are things such as deacon, priest, monastic, parent, abess, abbot, bishop, metropolitan, and so on. An orthodox Christian begins as an individual who is baptized and chrismated within the church and a follower of Christ. Someone in the patriarch is an individual who began as an orthodox Christian, became a deacon, then a priest, and then entered into the patriarch by the calling of God. Someone in the patriarch is called by God to lead His sheep in a particular role, just as the Apostles were called to lead His sheep in a particular role.
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
