Traditional Anglicans

Traditional Anglicanism is not so much a set of beliefs as it is a gathering together of people. It's best defined by the people who believe and practice it - Anglicans who are Traditionalists. Perhaps then we should ask, "Who are Anglicans and why are they Traditional?"  Anglicans are first and foremost Christians - followers of Jesus Christ. This is where our Tradition begins.

We cherish the Church's Tradition because that Tradition brings us face to face with Jesus Christ. We hold the Gospels of Saints Matthew, Mark, Luke and John in highest honor because they show us Jesus. The ancient Creeds of the Church - the Apostles' Creed, the Creed of the Council of Nicaea, and the Creed of St. Athanasius - are recited daily in our worship because they summarize our essential beliefs in the Lord Jesus. We frequent the Sacraments because in them the Lord Jesus is with us, as He was with His first disciples, "in the Breaking of the Bread." We revere our Bishops because, as the Successors to the Apostles, they are living proof of the Church's belief in the Lord Jesus. In doing these things, we maintain Christian Tradition from its earliest days.

Catholic Anglicanism

Anglicans are Catholics. The word Catholic is from the Greek words "kath holon" and means "according to the whole." To be a Catholic means to be part of the One Church Jesus Christ founded. While many Christian denominations claim to be that One Church, Anglicans make no such claim. We are a part of Christ's Church but so too are all other baptized people. The Book of Common Prayer defines the Church as "the Body of which Jesus Christ is the Head and all baptized people are the members" (BCP page 290).

Traditionalists insist that the whole faith (remember? "according to the whole") be kept intact and so passed on as a whole to those who come after us. We refuse to add anything to, or take anything away from the Faith we have been given - "the faith once delivered to the Saints" (St. Jude 1:3). We follow the way of the Scriptures, believe the teachings of the Creeds, celebrate the Lord's Presence in the Sacraments and honor the Lord Jesus in the Bishop. In doing these things we maintain the Catholic Tradition of Anglicanism.

Dull Traditionalism

Isn't there a danger in Anglican Traditionalists clinging so tightly to Tradition?  The answer to that depends on your definition of "Tradition."  If by Tradition you mean "doing stuff that is old for the sake of doing stuff that is old," the answer is "yes."  However, that's not so much a definition of "Traditionalism" as much as it is of "antiquarianism." Traditions can be dull and lifeless, especially if we don't know what they mean. Have you ever gone to a homecoming celebration for a school you didn't attend?  The ceremonies and traditions were probably no different from those of your Alma Mater, but you probably found them unmoving - maybe even a bit absurd.  But if you've attended your homecoming game and dance, those same ceremonies that seemed so laughable elsewhere can easily move us to tears.

Traditions are meaningful to us inasmuch as they are part of us. We have learned to know and love the Lord Jesus because of Tradition. We Anglican Traditionalists would define Tradition as "the Holy Spirit leading the Church."  For us, Tradition is alive. It isn't the "memory of things past," but rather "Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today and forever" (Hebrews 13:8).

The One Church

By virtue of their baptism, Anglican Traditionalists are members of the "One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church" described in the ancient Creeds. This Church reveals itself specially in two ways. First, there is the Catholic Church spread across the world - the whole Church comprising all baptized people. Second, the Church is the local community which gathers for the celebration of the Eucharist. Here, at one time and in one place, we see the Church in all its Catholicity, in all its fullness.

The baptized community gathers around its Bishop (or his representative, a Priest) and there the Scriptures are proclaimed, the Creeds are recited and the Sacraments are celebrated. This is why the Church exists, because when we do these things we know that the Lord Jesus is with us. Traditionalist Anglicans believe that by preserving intact these treasures - the Scriptures, the Creeds, the Sacraments and the succession of Bishops - the One Church preserves her unity and continuity with the past.  In so doing, she assures her unity and continuity with the future.

Tradition and Customs

Over the centuries, the Church has developed hundreds - even thousands - of customs and habits and traditions. Some are good and some aren't. Though the Church is the "Body of Christ" (as St. Paul says) it is made up - at least here on earth - of people who commit sins. The Church is not a perfect community, it's a redeemed one. There are many customs and traditions cherished by Traditional Anglicans - the Elizabethan language of our Common Prayer, the beautiful vestments of the medieval Mass, the glorious music of the English Cathedral - these things are dear to the hearts of many Traditionalists. It's right that we cherish our customs. But the Living Tradition of the Church is Jesus Christ. All our customs and practices are intended to point to Him and to declare our love for Him. Viewed in this way, Tradition is essential to the Church.

Our customs may be helpful and beautiful, but what is necessary for the Church to be the Church is a bishop (or his priest) and the baptized community, gathered to listen to Jesus speak to us in Holy Scripture, proclaiming our belief in Jesus by the words of the Creeds, and partaking of His Body and Blood at His Altar as He Himself commanded us to do. This what we mean by Tradition. If this appeals to you, then join us for Mass. Kneel on uncomfortable kneelers with the rest of us, sing the ancient chants and receive, in a small Wafer and a sip of Wine, Jesus Christ - our Living Tradition.