>>24081433Well of course it was decreed by God. Which is why every council leads with "it was pleasing to us and to the Holy Ghost". Councils are scripturally witnessed as to what should occur when disagreements about the faith arise which is where Holy Scripture comes from.
If we don't cease to exist and are alive in Christ, our prayers are not to the dead but to the living. And these living intercede to Christ on our behalf. The prayer of the righteous avails much. Who on earth is righteous? Would it not make more sense to pray to those perfected in faith and alive in Christ?
What would you tell to a Christian pre 4th century canonization of Scripture? The only prayer they know is what has been taught via Holy Tradition. St. Paul left the Thessalonians two small letters. Is only what he wrote valid then despite him living and teaching them the faith daily?
And in your own church: do you only follow traditions in service by what's in Holy Scripture? Grape juice communion certainly isn't there. Neither is rock band worship.
