The Orthodox Christian Church holds a rich and nuanced approach to the Old Testament, rooted in both its historical understanding and its profound spiritual interpretation. Unlike some modern Christian traditions that may view the Old Testament as primarily preparatory or even obsolete, Orthodoxy reveres these ancient texts as an inseparable part of Holy Scripture, integral to the fullness of Christian revelation.
Historically, the Orthodox Church received the Old Testament through the Greek Septuagint translation, produced by Jewish scholars in Alexandria during the 3rd to 2nd centuries BC. This version became the authoritative Scripture for the early Church and continues to hold primacy in Orthodox theology and liturgy. The Septuagint includes books not found in the later Masoretic Text adopted by Rabbinic Judaism and many Protestant denominations, such as Wisdom of Solomon, Sirach, and 1–4 Maccabees, which the Orthodox regard as deuterocanonical.
The early Church Fathers, many of whom were well-versed in Greek philosophy and Jewish tradition, approached the Old Testament as a repository of divine wisdom. Figures like St. Irenaeus of Lyons, St. Athanasius of Alexandria, and St. John Chrysostom interpreted the Scriptures through a Christocentric lens, seeing Christ as the fulfillment of the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings. This method of interpretation was not merely allegorical but deeply historical, recognizing the covenantal relationship between God and His people Israel as foundational to the Christian faith.
Spiritually, the Orthodox Church regards the Old Testament as a continuous revelation of God’s will and character, culminating in the incarnation of Jesus Christ. The narratives, laws, psalms, and prophetic writings are not merely historical records but are imbued with spiritual meanings that prefigure and illuminate New Testament realities. Orthodox theology employs a typological approach, wherein events and figures in the Old Testament are seen as “types” or foreshadowings of Christ and the Church.
For example, the Exodus from Egypt is interpreted as a type of salvation from sin, with Moses as a precursor to Christ. The Ark of Noah becomes a symbol of the Church, preserving the faithful through the waters of baptism. The suffering servant passages in Isaiah are read during Holy Week, seen as prophetic depictions of Christ’s passion and resurrection. Such readings are not arbitrary but are guided by the interpretive tradition of the Church, expressed through liturgy, hymnography, and the writings of the saints.
The Old Testament plays a vital role in Orthodox liturgical life. Psalms are chanted daily in monasteries and parishes alike, forming the backbone of the Church’s prayer. Old Testament readings are appointed for major feast days, particularly during Holy Week and Pascha. The Church’s liturgical texts, such as the canon of Matins, are replete with references and allusions to Old Testament events and figures, demonstrating the seamless integration of these ancient writings into the worship of the living God.
Moreover, during the Vespers services preceding certain feast days, multiple Old Testament readings are proclaimed, known as “paremias.” These selections are chosen not for their historical content alone, but for their prophetic resonance with the feast being celebrated, illustrating how the Church perceives Scripture as a living dialogue between the past and the present, between promise and fulfillment.
In the Orthodox tradition, the Old Testament is neither obsolete nor secondary but is revered as sacred Scripture that continues to nourish the faithful. Its historical narratives, laws, wisdom literature, and prophetic visions are understood through the interpretive lens of Christ’s incarnation, death, and resurrection. Rooted in the historical experience of Israel and culminating in the person of Jesus Christ, the Old Testament remains a vital and dynamic component of Orthodox Christian theology, worship, and spirituality. Through its pages, the Church hears the voice of God speaking both in the past and to the present age.