The answer
The Church of the New Testament has a heavenly aspect as it partakes in the praises of the angels as St. Clement says: “For this is the first-born Church, composed of many good children; these are ‘the firstborn enrolled in heaven, who hold high festival with so many myriads of angels.’”1174
In this Church, those who have the true knowledge find comfort, “Such, according to David, ‘rest in the holy hill of God’ (Ps. 15:1), in the Church far on high, in which are gathered the philosophers of God, ‘who are Israelites indeed, who are pure in heart’ … engaged in contemplation which has everlasting remembrance.”1175 As for the Church on earth, it is the icon of the heavenly Church. Thus, we pray saying, “on earth as it is in heaven.”1176 This Church is the ancient universal Church which received the Apostolic Tradition, which distinguishes her from the heretical assemblies.
Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty
Notes
1174 St. Clement of Alexandria, Exhortation to the Heathen 9 (ANF 2:195); Cf. The Stromata, or Miscellanies 6.8; 5.26; 6.14, 7.2, 7.6; 7.11 (ANF 2).
1175 St. Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata, or Miscellanies 6.14, 7.7 (ANF 2:505, 537).
1176 St. Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata, or Miscellanies 7.17 (ANF 2).