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Letters concerning the Establishment of the Holy Synod (1723)

Eastern Patriarchs, tr. King, 1865

8. Article 8

We believe that our Lord Jesus Christ became the only Mediator, and gave himself as a. ransom for all, to make by his own blood a reconciliation between God and man, and that he, having care of his own, (people,) is the advocate and the propitiation for our sins. We say, indeed, in our supplications and petitions to him, that the saints are mediators, and above all, the all-holy mother of him, the Word of God, and the holy angels who we know are our guardians, the apostles, prophets, martyrs, and all holy men whom he has glorified as his faithful servants, with whom we number both the high-priests and priests, as ministering before the holy altar, and just men distinguished for virtue. For we are taught by the sacred oracles to pray for one another, and that the prayer of the righteous man availeth much, and that God hears the saints, rather than those wallowing in sin. We believe that the saints are our mediators and intercessors with God, not only during their sojourn on earth, but also specially after death, when the mirrors being broken and they clearly behold the Holy Trinity, its infinite light places (more vividly) in their minds our affairs.

For, as we do not doubt that the prophets, whilst they were in the flesh, saw the things which were in heaven, by means of which they foretold things to come, so, also, the angels and the saints who have become as angels.

We do not doubt that our affairs are in the infinite light of Christ; but rather we indubitably profess and believe (this.)