Questions tagged [tradition]

Referring to one of the two historical sources of theology (Scripture, Tradition). Relates to questions that ask about practices that have historically been the norm, and typically looking for an origin explanation

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How do Catholics assert certain Traditions being equal with Scripture when Scripture never says tradition can be of equal authority?

Correct me if I am wrong, but I heard somewhere that Roman Catholic doctrine asserts that tradition and scripture (the Bible) are on equal footing. That being said, what does a practicing Catholic ...
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For traditional sources, how does the Catholic Church distinguish between holy truth and human speculation from the same author?

Some denominations believe that the Bible is the sole source of revealed knowledge (e.g. Protestant Sola scriptura). Some believe that recorded oral tradition that doesn't contradict the Bible is a ...
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Does any denomination commemorate the Weaning Ceremony of Infant Jesus?

We read in Gen 21:5-8: Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him. Now Sarah said, “God has brought laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh with me.” And she said, “...
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Where did the nomenclature “godfather” originate from?

As per Catholic tradition, a baby at the time of baptism, gets a godfather and a godmother. They are the ones who present the child at baptism and promise to take responsibility for his/her ...
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The priest/preacher's prayer before the sermon/homily -- what is it and why do the ECLA (and others) do it?

Tried to put the gist of this in the subject. Often in my tradition (ELCA), the preacher will say a quick prayer before preaching; often it's the "May the words of my mouth.." prayer, or ...
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What is the basis for baptism being the new circumcision?

I was recently listening to Dr. Scott Hahn on Pints with Aquinas. In that interview, Dr. Hahn mentions baptism as the new circumcision in relation to covenantal theology. His main point was that if ...
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Why are there fourteen stations of the cross?

So, I would have expected 12 stations of the cross. I mean, lets face it, a lot of things in the Bible happen in 12. 12 disciples, 12 tribes, etc... Seeing as the stations of the cross are not ...
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Is there a written tradition that would explain why John the Evangelist is often depicted in art as effeminate?

John the Evangelist is often depicted in art as effeminate (e.g. long hair, clean shaven, gentle face), as illustrated below. This is especially apparent when compared with other males in the same ...
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When did Catholic churches start using wooden clapper during Holy Week?

The crotalus or wooden clapper is an instrument used in churches across the world in Lenten season, especially during the Holy Week. Its sound evokes feelings of repentance, sacrifice, and remorse. ...
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What is the biblical basis for giving the bread/wafer to the laity at the Eucharist but reserving the wine for the clergy? [duplicate]

From my research I have discovered that traditional Catholic practice forbade congregants from partaking of the cup for fear they might spill or drip the blood of Christ, and then it would be trampled ...
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Did the women disciples of Jesus go to his tomb on Sunday morning to perform an optional Jewish ritual?

We read in Jn 19: 38-40 how Jesus's body was embalmed before his burial: After these things, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, though a secret one because of his fear of the Jews, ...
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How do the ideas of authority and infallibility relate to tradition in the Catholic Church?

I am currently trying to better understand the Catholic teachings of tradition’s role in establishing doctrine. What seems odd to me is that the writings of the church fathers differ in doctrinal ...
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According to believers in the deity of Christ, is the historical evidence for this belief as strong as the historial evidence for the Biblical canon?

I ask this question as a follow-up to For Christians who are skeptical of the writings of the Apostolic & Ante-Nicene Fathers, what is their epistemological basis for trusting a canon?. I highly ...
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How is the claim that the doctrine of Papal Infallibility has always existed within the Church substantiated?

These three related questions regarding Magisterial authority, the Church as custodian of truth, and the authority of Church tradition have brought up this new question. The dogmatic definition (ex ...
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What Tradition is Paul referring to when he admonishes us to "hold the traditions which ye have been taught"?

For those who do not agree with Sola Scriptura, which is scripture alone is the source for all things pertaining to your salvation, they often quote this from Paul. Therefore, brethren, stand fast, ...
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What is the story behind a monk’s tonsure?

As the title asks: What is the significance of this particular haircut (the tonsure), why is it associated with monks and what is the history behind it?
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References explaining non-biblical dogmas in Roman Catholicism?

Where can I find an explanation for the non-biblical dogmas of Revelation in Roman Catholicism—such as papal infallibility, the Immaculate Conception, etc.?
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What is the latest position of Catholic Church on the existence of Limbo?

Catholics traditionally believe that infants who die before being baptized, go to a place called Limbo. It is not understood whether the belief comes out of a dogmatic teaching of the Church. My ...
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When did a "formal act of correction" of a pope's statement happen in the past?

In this article Cardinal Raymond Burke has now indicated the cardinals are contemplating a “formal correction” should the pope fail to address their concerns. Also, he states: Historically, in the ...
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How do Catholics traditionally understand the divine omnipotence?

You have Saint Thomas Aquinas in the 13th century saying that God cannot do what is intrinsically impossible, but I would like to know what Catholics believed about the divine omnipotence before ...
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Is every Doctor of the Church a Saint? What are the requirements to be made a Doctor of the Church?

This is a question directed at Roman Catholics, or anyone familiar with the history of the Roman Catholic church. Every Doctor of the Church is a saint. I was curious if this is perhaps a ...
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Did the Catholic Church make a conscious effort in re-naming the seven days of the week?

We see the Church having had great influence on many aspects of the development of human kind, including education, culinary habits etc. The very division of history by the term Before Christ and ...
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Any biblical passages, traditions or historical record of Virgin Mary's baptism?

Jesus was already thirty years old when He said to St. John the Baptist that it is the Will of the Father that He received baptism thru his anointed hands. St. John was baptizing Jews before Jesus ...
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What Pagan elements were adopted in christianity?

I have commonly come across the belief that "newer" religions integrate existing customs and traditions into their own. So what traditions and customs in Christianity can be traced back (...
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Was the date of Christmas just derived from Saturnalia and other winter pagan festivals? [duplicate]

This picture and the answer at Why is Christmas on December 25th? seems to explain the biblical basis of the date. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D11jAEKgB2o, the topmost answers however on https://...
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Among modern critics who believe in the attributed authorship of the Gospels, what are their arguments?

According to the many online lectures by biblical scholars, not to mention entries in Wikipedia and other online sites, whether the experts are on either the liberal side or the conservative side of ...
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Holy Water container is dirty

How can I clean my Holy Water bottle? The Holy Water has sediment and the lid looks dirty
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Did the soldiers who had crucified Jesus reciprocate the forgiveness granted to them through the Lord's intercession?

We see how Jesus walked the talk by praying for those who crucified him, in Lk 23:33-34: When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on ...
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What are the arguments for the Holy Magisterium?

What is the best piece of evidence Catholics have that Jesus started a Petrine ministry with Peter that follows succession? Bonus question: Who succeeded Peter?
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What was Esther’s relationship to Mordecai?

Do we know what was Esther's relationship to Mordecai, based on the Jewish and Christian tradition?
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Why do Catholic laity cross themselves three times before the Gospel is read?

Why does the laity (and sometimes the priest) cross themselves 3 time before the Gospel is read? Like holding hands during the Lord's Prayer, and unlike bowing at the mention of the Incarnation ...
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1 answer
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Do the teachings of Catholic Church prohibit the use of “Amen” for purposes other than prayers?

Amen is a secular word of Greek and Hebrew origin, and is used to express solemn ratification (as of an expression of faith) or hearty approval (as of an assertion). The Church has been associating ...
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Why does the priest say the words of the consecration in a low tone in the EF when Jesus probably did not say it in a low tone?

In the Extraordinary Form of the Mass (the so-called "Tridentine Mass" or "Latin Mass") the words of the consecration are said in a low tone. In the Ordinary Form they are said in ...
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At what point in time for a tradition being considered a tradition within Catholicism?

What is the gold mark or point in time for a tradition being considered a tradition within Catholicism? This question is very similar to the question: When does a tradition become a Tradition? This ...
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What are some sources of March, 25th being the date of the creation of the world, or of the creation of Adam and Eve, or of their disobedience?

As per title, I read -- in a very uninformed way -- of these traditions, among many others, in regards to March, 25th: A) it would be the date of the creation of the world B) it would be the ...
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Who was who at the Crucifixion of Jesus on the Cross?

Who was who during the Crucifixion of Jesus, who is called the Christ? Just recently I came across this question: Who witnessed the crucifixion? I desire to expand this question to extra biblical ...
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What was the original rosary?

According to some Catholic traditions, the Rosary was given to Saint Dominic in a vision of the Blessed Virgin Mary and it was then promoted by Blessed Allan de la Roche. But here I read Saint Peter ...
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Do Catholics believe in other apparitions like Mary? Or is she unique in this respect?

From the outside looking in, it appears that the Catholic believe that Mary has and does appear to people somewhat frequently. It seems to be called "apparitions" . You read more about them on this ...
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Why do many orthodox pastors grow long hair?

I've noticed that many of the orthodox pastors are with long hair. I believe it isn't just because but it has a religious background. What's the reason for that? Is it something wrong with short hair ...
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Did Jesus and his disciples have an occasional “hiding place”?

We see at Jn 11:6, the immediate response of Jesus to the news that Lazarus was seriously ill: ... after having heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was. Going ...
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What is the origin of the story that James had knees as hard as a camel's, because of his praying?

I'm reading John Pollock's "The Apostle - A Life Of Paul" and, at page 85 of the 1969 print, he states that James was a man of such devotion that long praying had made his knees as hard as camel's,...
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Is there any Christian teaching as to where Adam and Eve were sent after their fall from the Garden of Eden?

In Islamic teachings, it is said that, after the fall from the Garden of Eden, Adam found himself on Mount Safa and Eve on Mount Marwa. (Of course, these locations are near enough so they found each ...
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What do Catholic traditions say was the real name of St. Thomas?

The Gospels do not mention the real name of St Thomas, unlike in the case of other apostles. The name Thomas (Koine Greek: Θωμᾶς) given for the apostle in the Gospels is derived from the Aramaic or ...
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What is the origins of Popes wearing a white soutane with other articles of clothing such as mozzetta in red?

What is the origins of Popes wearing a white soutane with other articles of clothing such as mozzetta in red? Most sources say that the pope wears a white soutane since the time of Pope Pius V. That ...
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Did Mary have the assistance of a midwife on the birth of Jesus?

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. - Mark 2:7 Swaddling clothes are narrow strips ...
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Is there a historical reason why the liturgical colour purple eventually replaced black to symbolize penance?

Is there a historical reason why the liturgical colour purple eventually replaced black to symbolize penance? This question does not have its' answer in the difference between the two forms of the ...
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What is the most important tradition in the Catholic Church?

I am doing a school project on Sacred Tradition and was wondering what Catholics view the most important Sacred Tradition to be. I was thinking that it would be Eucharist because it is the actual body ...
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What is the biblical basis for the assignment of patron saints?

Within Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy specifically (there may be more) there are many patron saints. Is there any biblical basis that exists for the assignment of a patron saint?
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Was Jesus crucified naked?

Wikipedia's article on crucifixion says While a crucifixion was an execution, it was also a humiliation, by making the condemned as vulnerable as possible. Although artists have traditionally ...
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What are origins and when did the tradition of the Yule Candles come into existence as a Christian tradition?

What are origins and when did the tradition of the Yule Candles come into existence as a Christian tradition? I stumble upon this Christmas Candle idea as a tradition. Can anyone help find more ...