On Synodality

A Traditional Icon of Pentecost, Showing the Holy Theotokos and Holy Apostles Gathered Together in “One Accord.” 

By Bp. Joseph Boyd (Ancient Church of the West)

Acts 2:1-4 “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” 

The Church received the Holy Spirit as a group, not individually, and ever since, we see the Lord speaking to us when we are in “one accord”, living in mutual submission and Godly love, fulfilling Christ’s command to “be one” even as He and His Father are one. When we do this, the Holy Spirit works anew in our lives, and we are given the right words to say and right understanding of His Truth. 

At the first Council of the Church, in Acts 15, the Apostles said “It seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things...” This illustrates how the Apostles themselves believed that in their synodality, the Church hears the will of God. This is why Orthodox theology revolves around the conciliar process, and why we believe it is one of the primary distinguishing marks of the Church. 

Heretics seek to promote their own opinions, while we Orthodox seek to receive and propagate only the Faith which has been believed everywhere, at all times, and by all. This is synodality with one another, as contemporaries on earth, synodality with the saints and angels in heaven, and synodality with our forbearers - the Bishops, Doctors, Fathers, and Councils of the Church’s past. 

COLLECT 

Almighty and everlasting Father, Who hast given the Holy Spirit to abide with us for ever: Bless, we beseech Thee, with His grace and presence, the bishops and the other clergy soon to be assembled in Thy Name, that Thy Church, being preserved in true faith and godly discipline, may fulfill all the mind of Him Who loved it and gave Himself for it, Thy Son Jesus Christ our Savior; who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the same Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen.