Orthodox
The word "orthodox" is derived from two Greek words meaning
right or true belief, holding the Christian faith as formulated in the
creeds and confessions of the first seven Ecumenical Councils of the
Undivided Church. "Orthodox" has been used since early times
to define and defend
the faith of the Church. This term further signifies right belief and right worship,
for these two are inseparable. This "right belief is the Apostolic faith,
also called the Deposit of Faith, upon which the Church was founded.
To be Orthodox in faith is to neither add to nor subtract from this
Sacred Deposit. The Deposit of Faith was closed with the last Apostle.
The seven Ecumenical Councils did not introduce new articles to be
accepted as necessary for salvation, but only defined that which had existed
from the beginning.
The Synod of Orthodox Bishops of the Western Rite is Orthodox in faith.
We allow no dissidence in matters of faith as based on the seven
Ecumenical Councils. No Christian, neither individual nor church body,
has a right to add to or take away from the Deposit of Faith.
Traditional
Sacred Tradition goes back to our Lord and His Apostles.
Sacred Tradition is that which concerns the redemptive work of Christ;
that is, to faith and morals, which are divine truths indispensable for
salvation.Sacred Tradition consists of the teachings which Christ and His Apostles handed down to the Church, and which existed from the beginning of the Christian era. It has been kept alive in the conscience of the Church, consisting of the truths which have been accepted "everywhere, always, and by all " the faithful.
Sacred Tradition is more than just "passed on" teaching. It is the Holy Spirit's operation in and among the Christian Church. The role of Tradition is not only to impart religious fact, but also to impart the sense and experience of the Faith.
There are other traditions, that is, various customs and practices handed down from ancient times which are used in the Church. These other traditions are appropriate for order in the Church, and for fostering spiritual growth in her faithful. No tradition should contradict or take away from the Sacred Tradition.
Progressive
Their purpose is to help us, as Christians, mature in God's love, progress
spiritually, and for the orderly functioning of the Church. They were never
meant to deteriorate into an intricate legalistic system. There
is a difference between Church doctrine and Church disciplines.
By now it should be clear that Church doctrine is extremely
important and cannot be changed, added to, nor subtracted from.
Church disciplines, on the other hand, while important, are
always in the context of the cultural setting of
the times.For example, in the earliest canons of the Church, deacons, priests, and bishops were allowed to marry. The Eastern Church stopped allowing for married bishops early on, and in the twelfth century the Latin rite (Roman Catholic) stopped allowing for married priests and bishops.
There is no doctrinal necessity for a celibate priesthood; these are matters of Church discipline. So also are other important issues facing Christians today, such as marriage and divorce, and issues of birth control, etc.
The Church must have Love and Law, not Love of the Law, and not Love with no Law! Christ commanded us to follow the spirit of the Law when dealing with one another.