Question 22.
Π.
Χριστοφόρε,
Με ποιον τρόπο και σύμφωνα με ποια κριτήρια έγινε από τους Πατέρες ο
διαχωρισμός των κανονικών από τα απόκρυφα κείμενα; Εφόσον τα απόκρυφα
ευαγγέλια δεν είναι κανονικά γιατί η Εκκλησία βασίστηκε σε αυτά για τη
διαμόρφωση κάποιων θεομητορικών εορτών (Κοίμηση, Εισόδια);
Translation of Question 22.
“In which way and according to what
criteria was the separation of the canonical from the apocryphal text done
by the fathers? If the apocryphal gospels are not canonical, why did the
Church rely on them to formulate certain feasts of the Mother of God such
as the Dormition and Entry?”
Answer to Question 22
Dear Constantine,
During the “school seasons” I give a weekly talk for our English speaking
parishioners. This season begins on 2/10/08 and I was searching for a
suitable subject to start the season until I received your email. Your
question on the canonical and apocryphal struck me as the ideal subject
for the first talk not only because of the publicity the New Testament
apocryphal have received in the past few years, but also because the
Church uses the Septuagint version of the Old Testament and most English
speaking Christians read from Bibles translated from a different source
which understandably are more readily available in English. Thus I have
sent you my full answer by email and it is also on the website under the
Section “Talks” dated 2/10/08. See:
Talk on the
Canonical and apocryphal writings
With love in Christ
Fr. Christopher.
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