St. Paul the Apostle says in his first Epistle

[Mary Naeem]

Pope Shenouda III

St. Paul the Apostle says in his first Epistle to the Corinthians: "And the rest I will set in order when I come" (1Cor.11: 34). What were these apostolic instructions? Have we received them through Tradition? St. Paul the Apostle said to his disciple Titus, the Bishop of Crete: "For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you" (Titus 1: 5). He did not spell out in his Epistle how to appoint priests, with regard to the prayers, rituals and the necessary conditions thereof. How did St. Titus know about this matter other than by verbal instruction? That is why the Apostle said to him: "...as I commanded you". The details of this command were not recorded in the Epistle but the disciple the bishop learnt them verbally, 'face to face", and they reached us through Tradition.