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Letters concerning the Establishment of the Holy Synod (1723)
Eastern Patriarchs, tr. King, 1865
1. Question 1
Questions, and Answers to Them.
Ought the Holy Scripture to be read generally, and by all Christians?
Answer.
No. We know that all Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable; and for this reason, has in it what is necessary, so that without it, it is impossible for any one to be at all pious; but not, indeed, that it is to be read easily and altogether profitably by all, but only by those who, with proper examination, look into the depths of the spirit, and know in what ways the Holy Writ is to be examined and taught and read in general, so that it has been permitted to every pious person to hear the things of the Scripture, that he may believe with the heart unto righteousness, and confess with the mouth unto salvation; but the reading of certain parts of Scripture, and especially of the Old Testament, is prohibited for the aforesaid reasons and others similar to them. And to order the untrained not to read all the sacred Scripture, is the same as to command babes not to touch strong meat.