As he sang of Christian love: "This house of the Lord is guarded by two watchmen: on the one hand , the fear of God for the correction of the thoughts of some people, and on the other , for the sober-minded , the ever-present love of God, this reward of wisdom." It is difficult to imagine that, having such statements, a person renounced Christian principles and concepts and was allowed to preside over the Ecumenical Council in Nicaea.

The significance of the Seven Ecumenical Councils was also emphasized in biblical prophecies: "Wisdom built herself a house, hewn out its seven pillars" (Proverbs 9:1); "And he cried out with a loud voice, like a lion roaring; and when he cried out, then the seven thunders spoke with their voices" (Rev. 10:3). But let us return to our discussion of the Church. I spoke about the continuity of true Christianity, which for me is identical with the concept of "Orthodoxy".

Now I would like to say about the importance of such a concept as ordination. A lawful, properly ordained priesthood, which has succession from the apostles, is a guarantee of the continuity and truth of the Christian assembly (Church).     3. On Ordination   Orthodox: I know that you do not have ordination as such.

I think this circumstance puts you in a contradictory position in relation to those biblical texts that speak of ordination. The Bible teaches that through ordination the spirit of wisdom and the right to command (to rule over the people of God) are given: "And Joshua the son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom, because Moses laid his hands on him, and the children of Israel obeyed him, and did as the Lord commanded Moses" (Deuteronomy 34:9).

Through the ordination, the grace of God was given, and this order was established by God Himself: "And the Lord said to Moses, 'Take to you Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom there is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him... and give him of thy glory, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may hear him" (Num. 27:18, 20). Sts. the Apostles were called to serve by the Lord Himself, and He Himself gave them the authority to perform the Sacraments: "And Jesus said to them a second time, Peace be unto you!

as the Father has sent me, so do I send you. And when he had said this, he blew, and said unto them, Receive ye the Holy Spirit" (John 20:21-22); "Finally, He appeared to the eleven themselves, reclining at the supper... And he said to them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; but whoever does not believe will be condemned" (Mark 1b:14-1b).

But even the one called directly by Christ to Ap. Paul (Acts 9:1-8) needed the laying on of hands (Latin for confirmation) in order to be filled with the Holy Spirit: "Ananias went and went into the house, and laying his hands on it, he said, 'Brother Saul! The Lord Jesus, who appeared to you in the way you walked, sent me so that you might receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit. And immediately it was as if scales fell from his eyes, and suddenly he regained his sight; and he arose, and was baptized" (Acts 9:17-18).

Later, he was ordained to serve as an evangelist in the Church: "As they served the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, 'Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them. Then they fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, and sent them away" (Acts 13:2-3). The ordination gave Ap. Paul has the right of a bishop to ordain others: "And having ordained to them presbyters for each church, they prayed with fasting, and committed them to the Lord, in Whom they believed" (Acts 14:23).

  Sectarian: In our translation, this text sounds somewhat different: "They also appointed elders for them in every congregation, and after prayer and fasting they committed them to Jehovah, in whom they believed" (Acts 14:23). As you can see, there is no word "ordination" here. In Greek, the word ceirotonevw means, as it is said in the dictionary of A.D. Weisman, giving a vote in the people's assembly by raising a hand or electing, confirming someone in office.

  Orthodox: This is not entirely true, because in the Apostolic Church, as well as now, consecration was performed through the laying on of hands, this tradition came from the Old Testament. We've read about it. If we look at the text about Paul's ordination, we can see this: "While they were serving the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, 'Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.

Then they fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, and sent them away" (Acts 13:2-3). Here in Greek it says: ejpiqevnte " ta ; " cei ' ra " , which literally means: ejpiqevnte " (put, laid, piled - from the Greek verb "ejpitivqhmi") ta ; " cei ' ra "   (hands). There are no other options in this case, and therefore the Synodal translation is correct when it speaks of ordination.

It is also known from the history of the Church that the election of candidates for the priesthood always preceded ordination. It is strange that the translators of Novy Mir confused the first with the second. So, let's continue. Apostles or their successors , bishops, could ordain and confirm (Acts 8:14-17; 1 Tim. 5:22). Not only presbyters and bishops were ordained, but also deacons: "They set them before the Apostles, and having prayed, they laid hands on them" (Acts 6:6).

Not all Christians perform pastoral service: "And some God has ordained in the Church, first, apostles, secondly, prophets, thirdly, teachers; furthermore, to others He gave miraculous powers, as well as the gifts of healing, help, guidance, and various tongues. Are all the Apostles? Are all prophets? Are they all teachers? Are all miracle workers? Does everyone have the gifts of healing? Does everyone speak in tongues? Are all interpreters?" (1 Corinthians 12:28-30).

  Sectarian: There are moral requirements for those who perform various services in Christian congregations: "But a bishop must be blameless, the husband of one wife, sober, chaste, decent, honest, loving strangers, teachable, not a drunkard, not a beater, not quarrelsome, not covetous, but quiet, peaceful, not covetous, ruling his house well, keeping his children in obedience with all honesty; for whoever does not know how to govern his own house, will he take care of the Church of God?