The Rudder
Digital Verbum Edition
Overview
The Rudder (Greek: “Pedalion”) is a classic compilation of the holy canons or Orthodox canon law. Originally assembled by Nicodemus the Hagiorite and Agapius the Monk on Mount Athos in 1800, this work includes a dedication to Orthodox Christians from both Nicodemus and Agapius, along with a letter and recommendation on this edition from the Patriarch of Constantinople (ca. 1802) NEOPHYTOS VII. The present edition was translated into English from the fifth edition by Denver Cummings in 1957, and re-published at that time by the Orthodox Christian Educational Society of Chicago, Illinois. The Rudder is so named because of the symbolism often employed in the Eastern Orthodox tradition of the Catholic Church of Jesus Christ as a ship at sea. The master of the vessel is Jesus Christ, the sailors the holy Apostles and their successors, and the passengers all Orthodox Christians. The sea is symbolic of our present life, with the rudder of the ship representative of these holy canons, keeping the Church on course and safe from temptation. This work includes the 85 Canons of the Holy Apostles, the Canons of the first seven Ecumenical Councils, the Canons of the Regional Synods, the Canons of the Holy Fathers (e.g., of Sts. Basil the Great, Gregory of Nyssa, and Cyril of Alexandria), and a number of various instructions and forms for letters. This volume contains Denver Cummings’ English translation of The Rudder.
Top Highlights
“Justification results from consistent and sequential faith, and not from initial faith alone. By initial faith alone nobody has ever been justified, and nobody can be justified. All persons have been justified, if at all, and can be justified as a result of consistent and sequential and perfective faith.” (Page xxi)
“ for the same truth may be believed both dogmatically and logically.” (Page xxi)
“Logical belief, however, is for perfect men, whereas dogmatic and authoritative belief is for inperfect men (including women and children) unable to learn the truth through reason and science.” (Page xxii)
“logical belief starts with initial faith, which it elicits logically by examining and refuting the reasons for disbelief” (Page xxi)
“every member even of the Church is likewise infallible when he thinks and judges in accordance with the Holy Scriptures.” (Page xv)
Reviews
1 rating
Kelly Fleming
12/27/2023
Excellent book that brings together all the canons of the Ecumenical Councils and some local Orthodox synodsKelly Fleming
12/23/2023