Q&A Home > T > Tradition

• Almost all Coptic Orthodox Church religions take their shoes off when they enter the church. Why is that?
• Father, I have asked questions in the past and you have always replied with answers that have been helpful and I appreciate it so much. I am hoping you can shed some information on another question. I am Eastern Orthodox. At the start of lent, we have a service called "Forgiveness Sunday" where each person asks forgiveness from each other person which ends with kissing each other on the cheeks three times. I really do not like the idea of men and women hugging and kissing who are not married. What is the correct way of looking at this? Also, do the Coptic Orthodox have this same tradition and is there any historical basis for it? Am I looking at this wrongly?
• How do you convince a non-denominational person of the importance of tradition along with the Holy Bible? The Holy Book of Romans 10:9 is the verse used against the practice of traditional teaching and worship.
• I have been asking this question for a while and I have gotten mixed answers. My question is: Why are beards not allowed to the orders of laity and only allowed to members of the clergy although many church fathers, like St. Augustine, St. John Chrysostom, St. Clement of Alexandria, spoke against shaving? Is there a biblical reference or is it just because growing a beard has to do with certain groups in our community? Is it wrong to stop somebody from taking Communion because he has grown a beard although he was prepared for taking Communion (i.e., properly dressed, came on time, repented, fasting, etc.)?
• Must all the teachings and writings of the early Church Fathers and of all the Saints be indiscriminately believed in and accepted as Holy Tradition? Do all saints automatically become part of the church 'Fathers' or do the Fathers belong to a certain historical period?
• What are the traditions in making wine for church, or is there no traditional way?
• What is the relationship between bells and the church? When and where did the tradition begin? Should bells ring in every church?
• Why do people kiss the priest's hand?
• Why does the priest splash water on the people at the end of the service? Where is that from?
• "Beware lest any one cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ" (Colossians 2:8). Could St. Paul be referring to the Old Testament Mosaic traditions and rituals as being useless to spirituality, since they did not have a saving power? Can we extend this explanation to cover New Testament traditions as well? What is the role of rituals and traditions in spiritual life?