Having Been Built on the Foundation of the Apostles

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Keraza Magazine issue 27-28 July 15, 2016

Celebrating the Feast of the Holy Apostles, we remember the words of the Holy Bible: "Now the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb" (Revelations 21:14), and, "The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all kinds of precious stones: the first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, the fifth sardonyx, the sixth sardius, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst" (Revelation 21:19-20). Although this indicates the magnitude of the honor bestowed upon the Apostles, it does not stop at honoring them, but shows what is even deeper. If we try to connect each of the precious stones mentioned sequentially with the twelve apostles, we will utterly fail. This is because the Holy Bible listed the apostles in four different locations: Matthew 10, Mark 3, Luke 6, and Acts 1, and these registers do not list the apostles in a consistent order. Yet, the common factors are: Peter is mentioned first, Philip is fifth, and James the son of Alphaeus is ninth. Perhaps the hidden mystery here is, as scholars noted, that those registers are divided into three groups, each containing four names; the first group begins with Peter, the second with Philip, and the third with James the son of Alphaeus. As for the order within each group, it differs from one register to the other, taking into consideration that Judas Iscariot was replaced by Matthias in the book of Acts.

Though we know precise divine inspiration includes nothing in the Holy Bible without reason, one question naturally poses itself: "Why did inspiration intentionally leave the link between the name of each apostle and the stone that represents him a mystery?" Naturally, the Holy Bible contains many mysteries, yet certainly, St. Paul, who said, "Having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets" (Ephesians 2:20), also said, "For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 3:11).

So, clearly, the twelve foundations of the city, on which are written the names of the twelve apostles, which are decorated with twelve precious stones, are altogether none other but the Lord Christ Himself, who was the subject and focus of the evangelism of each apostle. It is clear that the variety of colors and natures of the stones points to the diverse image of Christ transfigured in the lives and services of the apostles. Christ is one in all, yet He is formed in the heart of each one with a different image.

It is also amazing that the jasper stone, which is placed on the first foundation, is also the stone used to build the wall of the city (Revelations 21:18). Also, if the four registers of the apostles share placing the name of St. Peter at the beginning, it is clear that the first foundation on which the church must be built (generally), and each soul (specifically), is the faith which St. Peter announced: Jesus is the Christ, Son of the Living God. This faith is simultaneously the first foundation and the wall which surrounds the city and protects it. May you yearly be built upon the foundation of the apostles, who is Jesus Christ.

Bishop Youssef
Bishop, Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States