Entries in Life

As a recent convert, I appreciate what Tuirgin says so well in the comments above.

In response to the original post, I would, suggest however that Holy Tradition does not equal "smells and bells." I'm sure that Hexmode didn't intend to suggest that it does, but the way it was phrased seemed to imply so. "Smells and bells" is liturgical practice (and yes, this has some relation to Tradition, but is not itself THE Tradition). Holy Tradition is the living Gospel, the life and presence of the Holy Spirit in the Church. I think it's worth making another distinction as well. The Orthodox Church does in fact teach the reality of Original Sin (Adam and Eve's sin). What it does NOT teach is "Inherited Guilt" - the idea that we are each of us personally condemned for that sin in the garden. We live under the consequences of that original sin, but we are not personally guilty of Adam's sin. Our own sins are more than enough, thank you. :) Sorry to barge in and offer critiques like that, but I think that these are important distinctions. -Ian