How does the Russian Orthodox Church view biblical authority?

Historical Roots of Biblical Authority in the Russian Orthodox Church

The Russian Orthodox Church, as part of the broader Eastern Orthodox tradition, treasures the Scriptures as divinely inspired and integrally connected to Holy Tradition. From the earliest centuries of Christianity, the Church councils affirmed Scripture as the inspired Word of God (cf. 2 Timothy 3:16: “All Scripture is God-breathed…”). In Russia, the spread of Orthodoxy in the tenth century brought with it biblical texts in the Old Church Slavonic language, and these became foundational for worship, doctrine, and spiritual formation.

Yet the Russian Orthodox Church—like other Orthodox communities—views the written Scripture within the context of the Church’s living Tradition (a capital “T” to signify authoritative teaching passed down from the Apostles and early fathers). The two are seen as co-witnesses to God’s revelation. Scripture is understood as the pinnacle of this Tradition, but never isolated from the continuous life of the Church.

Scripture as Inspired and Authoritative

Within Russian Orthodoxy, the Bible is regarded as entirely inspired by the Holy Spirit and thus wholly trustworthy. The Church’s view of inspiration is rooted in passages such as 2 Peter 1:20–21 (BSB: “Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture comes from one’s own interpretation. For no such prophecy was ever brought forth by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”). This biblical conviction underscores why the Church so highly reveres the Old and New Testament writings.

This reverence manifests in liturgical practices: Scriptures are read aloud during the Divine Liturgy, venerated physically with incense and prayer, and entrusted to clergy for authoritative teaching under the guidance of the Church’s hierarchy. The position is that Scripture is God’s revelation to humanity, inseparable from the preserving work of the Holy Spirit within the universal Orthodox Church throughout history.

Holy Tradition as Interpretive Lens

An important aspect of understanding biblical authority in the Russian Orthodox Church is the interplay between Scripture and Holy Tradition. While the text of Scripture is revered as the inspired Word of God, it is interpreted in harmony with the teachings and writings of the Church Fathers, ecumenical councils, and continuing Orthodox worship practices. For instance, the Council of Jerusalem (1672), reflecting Orthodox consensus, defended the canonicity of both the Old and New Testament books while acknowledging the interpretive guardrails set by patristic witness.

In Russian Orthodoxy, Holy Tradition includes the Nicene Creed, doctrinal definitions from the first seven Ecumenical Councils, liturgies, hymnography, and consensus patrum (the unified teachings of the early Fathers). By placing Scripture within this living framework, the Russian Orthodox Church maintains a unified interpretation that resists private interpretive extremes.

Canonical Texts in the Russian Orthodox Church

The Russian Orthodox Church’s canon of Scripture closely parallels that of other Eastern Orthodox bodies, which typically includes what are often called the Deuterocanonical books (e.g., Tobit, Judith, Wisdom of Solomon) in addition to the 39 books recognized in the Hebrew Bible. These additional texts are used in liturgical contexts and are viewed as edifying for the faithful.

Russian Orthodox theologians assert that these Deuterocanonical writings, while not always accorded the same dogmatic weight as the universally uncontested books of the New Testament, still carry significant impact for teaching and spiritual formation. This perspective has origins going back to the Greek Septuagint tradition, widely honored in early Christianity and revered in Orthodox practice.

Liturgical Emphasis and Practical Authority

Scripture in the Russian Orthodox Church is profoundly woven into public worship. The Divine Liturgy features readings from the Gospels and Epistles, along with various Old Testament passages during feast days or specific liturgical seasons. This repeated reading and chanting of the Word in community underscores both the Church’s belief in the Bible as authoritative and the communal nature of its interpretation.

Additionally, icons, hymns, and church architecture often depict biblical narratives, showing that the Church’s worldview is grounded in the truth claims of Scripture. While personal reading of the Bible is encouraged, it is also emphasized that individual interpretations are best aligned and tested within the tradition of the Church—thus preserving unity of faith and teaching.

Witness of Early Translational Efforts

From a historical standpoint, the earliest Russian Orthodox translations of Scripture in the Slavonic language underscore the Church’s high regard for biblical authority. Saints Cyril and Methodius in the ninth century translated biblical texts for use among the Slavic peoples, and later Russian saints continued that legacy of promoting the Word of God in accessible forms. These efforts reinforce the Church’s long-held conviction that Scripture should inform all aspects of spiritual life.

Modern Russian Orthodox Perspective and Engagement

In modern times, the Russian Orthodox Church maintains its continuity with the ancient teachings, upholding the full inspiration of Scripture and its central place in the faith. The Moscow Patriarchate publishes and disseminates biblical texts, supporting scholarly biblical study while preserving liturgical traditions. Orthodox seminaries in Russia teach from the Scriptures extensively and integrate patristic commentary, keeping with the Church’s principle that biblical authority is safeguarded within the historic community of faith.

While the Church acknowledges the importance of historical-critical scholarship, it consistently places such methods under the scrutiny of both Tradition and conciliar authority. Any interpretive method that challenges the consistency of Scripture or the truths maintained by the Church’s ecumenical councils is met with measured critique.

Practical Conclusions and Lasting Influence

In conclusion, the Russian Orthodox Church upholds the authority of Scripture as divinely inspired and integral to the life of the faithful. This follows the centuries-old teaching that Scripture must be read within the guiding prism of Holy Tradition, lest it suffer from purely private or fragmented interpretations.

The Russian Orthodox stance highlights:

• A reverence for Scripture as God-breathed revelation.

• An interpretive harmony between Scripture and Tradition.

• A liturgical and communal approach that centers on the inspired text.

• The safeguarding of Scripture’s authority through ecumenical councils and patristic witness.

Such a view continues to shape the theology, daily piety, and ecclesial decisions of the Russian Orthodox Church, sustaining a deep connection between the timeless truths of Scripture and the living practice of faith in the community of believers.