Patriarch -
in some Orthodox churches - the title of the head of the local church. The patriarch is elected by the local council. The title was established by the Fourth Ecumenical Council of 451 (Chalcedon, Asia Minor). In Rus', the patriarchate was established in 1589, in 1721 it was abolished and replaced by a collegial body - the synod, in 1918 it was restored. Currently, there are the following Orthodox patriarchates: Constantinople (Turkey), Alexandria (Egypt), Antioch (Syria), Jerusalem, Moscow, Georgian, Serbian, Romanian and Bulgarian.
Synod
(Greek special - assembly, cathedral) - currently - an advisory body under the patriarch, consisting of twelve bishops and bearing the title "Holy Synod". The Holy Synod includes six permanent members: Metropolitan of Krutitsy and Kolomna (Moscow Region); Metropolitan of St. Petersburg and Novgorod; Metropolitan of Kiev and All Ukraine; Metropolitan of Minsk and Slutsk, Patriarchal Exarch of Belarus; Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations; manager of affairs of the Moscow Patriarchate and six non-permanent members, replaced every six months. From 1721 to 1918, the Synod was the highest body of church administrative power, replacing the patriarch (he bore the patriarchal title "Holy") - it consisted of 79 bishops. The members of the Holy Synod were appointed by the emperor, and a representative of state power, the chief prosecutor of the Synod, took part in the meetings of the Synod.
Metropolitan
(Greek metropolitan) - originally a bishop, the head of the metropolis - a large church area that unites several dioceses. The bishops managing the dioceses were subordinate to the metropolitan. Because church-administrative divisions coincided with the state ones, the departments of metropolitans were located in the capitals of the countries that covered their metropolises. Subsequently, the bishops who ruled large dioceses began to be called metropolitans. Currently in Russian Orthodox Church the title "metropolitan" is an honorary title following the title "archbishop". A distinctive part of the vestments of the Metropolitan is white cowl.
Archbishop
(Greek senior among bishops) - originally a bishop, head of a large church area, uniting several dioceses. BISHOS Administering dioceses were subordinate to the archbishop. Subsequently, bishops began to be called archbishops, managing large dioceses. Currently, in the Russian Orthodox Church, the title "archbishop" is honorary, preceded by the title "metropolitan".
Bishop
(Greek senior priest, head of priests) - a clergyman belonging to the third, highest degree of priesthood. Has the grace to perform all the sacraments (including ordination) and to lead church life. Each bishop (except vicars) governs a diocese. In ancient times, the bishops were divided according to the amount of administrative power into bishops, archbishops and metropolitans, at present these titles are preserved as honorary titles. From among the bishops, the local council elects a patriarch (for life), who leads the church life of the local church (some local churches are headed by metropolitans or archbishops). According to the teaching of the church, the apostolic grace received from Jesus Christ is transmitted through ordination to bishops from the most apostolic times, and so on. in the church there is a grace-filled succession. Ordination to the bishopric is performed by a council of bishops (there must be at least two ordaining bishops - Canon 1 of the Holy Apostles; according to Canon 60 of the Local Council of Carthage in 318 - at least three). According to the 12th rule of the sixth Ecumenical Council(680-681 Constantinople), the bishop must be celibate, in the present church practice it is customary to appoint bishops from the monastic clergy. It is customary to address the bishop: to the bishop "Your Eminence", to the archbishop or metropolitan - "Your Eminence"; to the patriarch "Your Holiness" (to some Eastern patriarchs - "Your Beatitude"). An unofficial address to the bishop is "Vladyko".
Bishop
(Greek overseeing, overseeing) - a clergyman of the third, highest degree of priesthood, otherwise a bishop. Initially, the word "bishop" denoted a bishopric as such, regardless of the church-administrative position (in this sense it is used in the epistles of St. Apostle Paul), later, when bishops began to be distinguished into bishops, archbishops, metropolitans and patriarchs, the word "bishop" began, as it were, to mean the first category of the above and in the original sense was replaced by the word "bishop".
Archimandrite -
monastic rank. Currently given as the highest award to monastic clergy; corresponds to archpriest and protopresbyter in the white clergy. The rank of archimandrite appeared in the Eastern Church in the 5th century. - this was the name of the persons chosen by the bishop from among the abbots to supervise the monasteries of the diocese. Subsequently, the name "archimandrite" passed to the chiefs of the most important monasteries and then to monastic persons holding church administrative positions.
Hegumen -
monastic rank in holy dignity, abbot of the monastery.
Archpriest -
senior priest in the white clergy. The title of archpriest is given as a reward.
Priest -
a clergyman belonging to the second, middle degree of the priesthood. He has the grace to perform all the sacraments, except for the sacrament of ordination. Otherwise, the priest is called a priest or presbyter (Greek elder; this is the name of the priest in the epistles of the Apostle Paul). Ordination to the priesthood is accomplished by the bishop through ordination. It is customary to address a priest: "Your blessing"; to a monastic priest (hieromonk) - "Your reverend", to an abbot or archimandrite - "Your Reverend". Informal address - "father". Priest (Greek priest) - a priest.
Hieromonk
(Greek priest-monk) - priest-monk.
Protodeacon -
senior deacon in the white clergy. The title of protodeacon is given as a reward.
Hierodeacon
(Greek: Deacon-monk) - deacon-monk.
Archdeacon -
senior deacon in the monastic clergy. The title of archdeacon is given as a reward.
Deacon
(Greek minister) - a clergyman belonging to the first, lowest degree of the clergy. A deacon has the grace to participate directly in the performance of the sacraments by a priest or bishop, but cannot perform them on his own (except for baptism, which, if necessary, can also be performed by the laity). During the service, the deacon prepares the sacred vessels, proclaims the litany, and so on. Ordination to the deaconate is performed by the bishop through ordination.
Clergy -
clergy. A distinction is made between white (non-monastic) and black (monastic) clergy.
Schemamonk -
a monk who has adopted a great schema, otherwise - a great angelic image. When tonsured into the great schema, a monk takes a vow of renunciation of the world and everything worldly. A schemamonk-priest (schieheromonk or hieroschemamonk) retains the right to serve as a priest, the schihegumen and schiarchimandrite must remove themselves from monastic authority, the bishop must remove himself from episcopal authority and does not have the right to celebrate the liturgy. The schemamonk's vestment is complemented by a kukul and analav. Schematic monasticism arose in the Middle East in the 5th century, when, in order to streamline hermitage, the imperial authorities ordered hermits to settle in monasteries. The hermits, who took seclusion in exchange for hermitage, began to be called the monks of the great schema. Subsequently, the shutter ceased to be obligatory for schemamonks.
Priests -
persons who have the grace to perform the sacraments (bishops and priests) or directly participate in their performance (deacons). They are divided into three successive degrees: deacons, priests and bishops; delivered through ordination. Ordination is a divine service during which the sacrament of the priesthood is performed - the decision to the clergy. Otherwise, ordination (Greek ordination). Ordination is performed to deacons (from subdeacons), to priests (from deacons) and to bishops (from priests). Accordingly, there are three rites of ordination. As deacons and priests, one bishop can perform ordination; in bishoprics, ordination is performed by a council of bishops (at least two bishops, see Canon 1 of the Holy Apostles).
Ordination
to the deacons is performed at the liturgy after the Eucharistic canon. The initiate is led into the altar through the royal gates, is circled around the throne three times while singing the troparia, and then kneels on one knee in front of the throne. The bishop places the edge of the omophorion on the head of the initiate, places his hand on top and reads the sacramental prayer. After the prayer, the bishop removes the cruciformly clad orarion from the initiate and places the orarion on his left shoulder with the exclamation "axios". Ordination to the priesthood is performed at the liturgy after the great entrance in a similar way - the one who is supposed to kneel on both knees in front of the throne, another sacramental prayer is read, the ordained one puts on priestly clothes. Ordination to the bishopric takes place at the liturgy after the singing of the trisagion before the reading of the Apostle. The ordained one is introduced into the altar through the royal gates, makes three bows before the altar and, standing on both knees, places his hands folded in a cross on the altar. The hierarchs who perform the ordination hold the open Gospel above his head, the leading of them reads the sacramental prayer. Then a litany is proclaimed, after which the gospel is placed on the throne, and the newly ordained one is clothed with the exclamation of "axios" in bishop's vestments.
Monk
(Greek one) - a person who has dedicated himself to God through the adoption of vows. Taking vows is accompanied by cutting hair as a sign of service to God. Monasticism is divided into three successive degrees in accordance with the vows taken: cassock monk (cassock) - a preparatory degree for the adoption of a small schema; a monk of a small schema - takes a vow of chastity, non-covetousness and obedience; monk of the great schema or angelic image (schemamonk) - takes a vow of renunciation of the world and everything worldly. One who is preparing to be tonsured as a cassock monk and undergoing probation in a monastery is called a novice. Monasticism arose in the 3rd century. in Egypt and Palestine. Initially, these were hermits who retired to the desert. In the IV century. Saint Pachomius the Great organized the first cenobitic monasteries, and then cenobitic monasticism spread throughout the Christian world. The founders of Russian monasticism are considered to be St. Anthony and Theodosius of the Caves, who created in the 11th century. Kiev-Pechersky monastery.
Enoch
(from Slav. different - lonely, different) - the Russian name of a monk, a literal translation from Greek.
Subdeacon -
a clergyman serving the bishop during the service: prepares the vestments, gives the dikirion and trikirion, opens the royal doors, etc. The vestment of the subdeacon is a surplice and a cross-shaped orarion worn. Appointment as a subdeacon, see dedication.
Sexton
(distorted Greek. preceptor) - a clergyman mentioned in the charter. Otherwise, an altar boy. In Byzantium, a church watchman was called a sexton.
Tossed -
1. An action performed at certain services. Hair cutting existed in ancient world as a symbol of slavery or service, and with this meaning entered into Christian worship: a) hair cutting is performed on the newly baptized after baptism as a sign of service to Christ; b) hair cutting is performed during the initiation of the newly appointed reader as a sign of service to the church. 2. Worship performed upon acceptance of monasticism (see monk). Corresponding to the three degrees of monasticism, there are tonsure into the cassocks, tonsure into the small schema, and tonsure into the great schema. The tonsure of non-clergy (see clergy) is performed by a monastic priest (hieromonk, abbot or archimandrite), clerics - by a bishop. The rite of tonsure in cassocks consists of a blessing, the beginning of the usual, troparia, priestly prayer, cruciform tonsure, and putting on the newly tonsured in a cassock and kamilavka. The tonsure into the small schema is performed at the liturgy after entering with the Gospel. Before the liturgy, the tonsured is placed on the porch and. While singing the troparia, he is led into the temple and placed in front of the royal gates. The one who takes the vows asks about sincerity, voluntariness, etc. the newcomer and then he is tonsured and given a new name, after which the newly tonsured one is dressed in a chiton, paraman, belt, cassock, mantle, klobuk, sandals and a rosary is given. The tonsure into the great schema is performed more solemnly and longer, the tonsured one is dressed in the same clothes, except for paraman and klobuk, which are replaced by anola and kukul. The rites of tonsure are contained in a large breviary.
Priestly ranks of white and black clergy
White clergy are married clergy. Black - these are monks in the priesthood. There are three hierarchical levels of the priesthood and each of them has its own hierarchy: deacon, priest, bishop. A deacon and a priest can be either a married priest or a monk. A bishop can only become a monk.
The Sacrament of the Priesthood is performed only when the candidate is raised to the next of the three steps. As for the hierarchy of ranks within these levels, in ancient times they were associated with special church obediences, and now they are associated with administrative power, special merits, or simply the term of service to the Church.
I. Bishops (bishops) - the highest sacred rank
Bishop - supervising bishop
Archbishop - most honored bishop
Metropolitan - bishop, head of the metropolis
Vicar - assistant to another bishop or his vicar
Patriarch - chief bishop in the Local Church
II. Hierei- second holy order
The word "priest" has several Greek synonyms:
For white priesthood:
1) Priest(priest; from Greek hieros - sacred) / Presbyter (from Greek presbyteros, literally - elder).
2) Archpriest(first priest) / Protopresbyter (first elder).
For black priesthood:
1) Hieromonk- a monk in the rank of priest.
2) Archimandrite- (from the Greek arshon - head, senior and mandra - sheepfold; literally - senior over the sheepfold), that is, senior over the monastery. The word "mandra" in Greece called the monasteries. In ancient times, only the abbot of one of largest monasteries(in the modern Church of Constantinople and Greece, this practice is preserved, however, an employee of the Patriarchate and an assistant to the bishop can be an archimandrite). In the modern practice of the Russian Church, the title can be given to the abbot of any monastery and even just to abbots for special merits and after a certain period of service to the Church.
! hegumen- (from the Greek. hegumenos, literally - walking in front, leader, commander), currently the abbot of the monastery (he can be a hieromonk, and an archimandrite and a bishop). Until 2011 in the Russian Orthodox Church - Honored Hieromonk. When leaving the post of rector, the title of hegumen is retained. Also, this title remains with those who received it as an award until 2011 and are not abbots of monasteries.
III. Deacon - the lowest sacred rank
For the white priesthood:
- deacon
- protodeacon
For the black priesthood:
- hierodeacon
- archdeacon
Words stand out pop and protopop. In Rus', these words had no negative meaning. Apparently, they come from the Greek "pappas", which means "daddy", "father". In Russian, this word (due to its prevalence among the Western Slavs) probably came from Old High German: pfaffo - priest. In all ancient Russian liturgical and other books, the name "priest" is constantly found as a synonym for the words "priest", "priest" and "presbyter". Archpriest - the same as a protopresbyter or archpriest.
Appeal to the clergy:
As for appeals to priests, they exist official and unofficial. Informally, priests and deacons are usually called fathers: "Father George", "Father Nicholas", etc. Or simply "father". In official cases, the deacon is called - "Your Reverence", the presbyter - "Your Reverence", the protopresbyter - "Your Reverence". When addressing a bishop, they say "Vladyka" (Vladyka George, Vladyka Nikolai). In the Russian Orthodox Church, when officially addressing a bishop, he is called "Your Eminence", the archbishop and metropolitan is called "Your Eminence". The Patriarch is always addressed: "Your Holiness." All these appeals do not refer to the personality of a person, but to his ministry.
read that Patriarch of Constantinople- the main among the Orthodox. How so? He has almost no flock, because mostly Muslims live in Istanbul. In general, how is everything arranged in our church? Who is more important than whom?
S. Petrov, Kazan
In total, there are 15 autocephalous (independent.-Ed.) Orthodox churches.
Constantinople
Its status as Orthodox Church No. 1 was determined in 1054, when the Patriarch of Constantinople trampled on bread prepared according to Western custom. This was the reason for the split. christian church into Orthodox and Catholic. The throne of Constantinople was the first Orthodox, and its special meaning is not disputed. Although the flock of the current Patriarch of Constantinople, who bears the proud title of Patriarch of New Rome and Ecumenical, is not numerous.
Alexandria
According to church tradition, the Alexandrian church was founded by the holy apostle Mark. The second of the four oldest Orthodox patriarchates. The canonical territory is Africa. In the III century. it was in it that monasticism first appeared.
Antioch
Third in seniority, founded, according to legend, by Peter and Paul around 37 AD. Jurisdiction: Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Oman, also Arab parishes in Europe, North and South America, Australia.
Jerusalem
The oldest church, which occupies the 4th place in the autocephalous churches. It has the name of the mother of all churches, because it was on its territory that all major events described in the New Testament. Its first bishop was the Apostle James, the brother of the Lord.
Russian
Not being the oldest, upon establishment, it immediately received an honorable fifth place among churches. The largest and most influential autocephalous Orthodox Church.
Georgian
One of ancient churches in the world. According to legend, Georgia is the apostolic lot of the Mother of God.
Serbian
The first mass baptism of Serbs took place under the Byzantine emperor Heraclius (610-641).
Romanian
It has jurisdiction in the territory of Romania. It has state status: the salaries of the clergy are paid from the state treasury.
Bulgarian
In Bulgaria, Christianity began to spread already in the 1st century. In 865, under St. Prince Boris, the general baptism of the Bulgarian people takes place.
Cypriot
10th place among autocephalous local churches.
One of the oldest local churches in the East. Founded by the Apostle Barnabas in 47 AD.
In the 7th century fell under the Arab yoke, from which it was completely freed only in 965.
Helladic (Greek)
Historically, the Orthodox population of present-day Greece was within the jurisdiction of the Orthodox Church of Constantinople. Autocephaly was proclaimed in 1833. The king was named head of the church. Has state status.
Albanian
The main part of the flock lives in the southern regions of Albania (Islam predominates in the center and north). Founded in the X century. as part of Constantinople, but then in 1937 gained independence.
Polish
In its modern form, it was established in 1948. Before that, for a long time, 80% of the believers of the church were Ukrainians, Belarusians and Rusyns.
Czech lands and Slovakia
Founded on the territory of the Great Moravian Principality in 863 by the labors of Saints Equal-to-the-Apostles Cyril and Methodius. 14th place among churches.
American
It is not recognized by Constantinople, as well as a number of other churches. The emergence dates back to the creation in 1794 by the monks of the Valaam Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery of the first Orthodox mission in America. The American Orthodox consider the Reverend Herman of Alaska to be their apostle.
The priesthood of the Russian Orthodox Church is divided into three degrees, established by the holy apostles: deacons, priests and bishops. The first two include both white (married) clergy and black (monastic) clergy. Only persons who have taken monastic vows are raised to the last, third degree. According to this order, all church titles and positions have been established for Orthodox Christians.
Church hierarchy that came from Old Testament times
The order in which the church titles of Orthodox Christians are divided into three different degrees dates back to Old Testament times. This happens due to religious continuity. From Holy Scripture it is known that approximately one and a half thousand years before the birth of Christ, the founder of Judaism, the prophet Moses, were chosen for worship special people- chief priests, priests and Levites. It is with them that our modern church titles and positions are connected.
The first of the high priests was the brother of Moses - Aaron, and his sons became priests, who led all the services. But, in order to make numerous sacrifices, which were an integral part of religious rituals, helpers were needed. They were the Levites - the descendants of Levi, the son of the forefather Jacob. These three categories of clergymen of the Old Testament era have become the basis on which all church titles of the Orthodox Church are built today.
Lower order of the priesthood
Considering church titles in ascending order, we should begin with deacons. This is the lowest priestly rank, upon ordination to which one acquires God's Grace necessary to fulfill the role assigned to them in worship. The deacon does not have the right to independently conduct church services and perform the sacraments, but is only obliged to help the priest. A monk who is ordained a deacon is called a hierodeacon.
Deacons who have served for a sufficiently long period of time and have proven themselves well receive the title of protodeacons (senior deacons) in the white clergy, and archdeacons in the black clergy. The privilege of the latter is the right to serve under the bishop.
It should be noted that all church services today are structured in such a way that, in the absence of deacons, they can be performed by priests or bishops without much difficulty. Therefore, the participation of a deacon in worship, although not obligatory, is rather an adornment than an integral part of it. As a result, in some parishes, where there are serious financial difficulties, this staff unit is reduced.
The second level of the priestly hierarchy
Considering further church ranks in ascending order, one should dwell on the priests. The holders of this rank are also called presbyters (in Greek "elder"), or priests, and in monasticism hieromonks. Compared to deacons, this is a higher level of priesthood. Accordingly, when one is ordained into it, a greater degree of Grace of the Holy Spirit is acquired.
Since the time of the Gospels, priests have led divine services and have been empowered to perform most of the holy sacraments, including everything except ordination, that is, ordination, as well as the consecration of antimensions and the world. In accordance with the official duties assigned to them, the priests lead religious life urban and rural parishes where they can hold the post of rector. The priest is directly subordinate to the bishop.
For long and impeccable service Priest white clergy encouraged by the rank of archpriest (chief priest) or protopresbyter, and black - the rank of abbot. Among the monastic clergy, the abbot, as a rule, is appointed to the position of rector of an ordinary monastery or parish. In the event that he is instructed to lead a large monastery or lavra, he is called an archimandrite, which is an even higher and honorary title. It is from the archimandrites that the episcopate is formed.
Bishops of the Orthodox Church
Further, listing church titles in ascending order, it is necessary to pay Special attention the highest group of hierarchs - bishops. They belong to the category of clergy called bishops, that is, the heads of priests. Having received the greatest degree of Grace of the Holy Spirit upon ordination, they have the right to perform all Church sacraments without exception. They are given the right not only to conduct any church services themselves, but also to ordain deacons to the priesthood.
According to the Church Charter, all bishops have an equal degree of priesthood, while the most meritorious of them are called archbishops. A special group is made up of metropolitan bishops, called metropolitans. This name comes from the Greek word "metropolis", which means "capital". In cases where another bishop is appointed to assist one bishop in any high office, he bears the title of vicar, that is, deputy. The bishop is placed at the head of the parishes of an entire region, in this case called a diocese.
Primate of the Orthodox Church
And finally the highest rank church hierarchy is the patriarch. He is elected Bishops' Council and, together with the Holy Synod, leads the entire local church. According to the Charter adopted in 2000, the rank of patriarch is for life, however, in some cases, the bishops' court is given the right to judge him, depose him and decide on his retirement.
In cases where the patriarchal see is vacant, the Holy Synod elects a locum tenens from among its permanent members, who acts as patriarch until he is legally elected.
Clergymen who do not have the Grace of God
Having mentioned all the church ranks in ascending order and returning to the very base of the hierarchical ladder, it should be noted that in the church, in addition to clergy, that is, clergy who have passed the sacrament of ordination and were able to receive the Grace of the Holy Spirit, there is also a lower category - clergy. These include subdeacons, psalmists and sextons. Despite their church service, they are not priests and are accepted to vacant positions without ordination, but only with the blessing of the bishop or archpriest - the rector of the parish.
The duties of the psalmist include reading and singing during church services and when the priest performs the treb. The sexton is entrusted with calling the parishioners by ringing the bells to the church at the beginning of the divine services, making sure that candles are lit in the church, if necessary, helping the psalmist and serving the censer to the priest or deacon.
The subdeacons also take part in divine services, but only together with the bishops. Their duties are to help the Vladyka get dressed before the beginning of the service and, if necessary, to change the vestments in the process. In addition, the subdeacon gives the bishop lamps - dikirion and trikirion - to bless those praying in the temple.
Legacy of the Holy Apostles
We examined all church ranks in ascending order. In Russia and among other Orthodox peoples, these ranks bear the blessing of the holy apostles - disciples and followers of Jesus Christ. It was they who, having become the founders of the earthly Church, established the existing order of the church hierarchy, taking as a model the example of the Old Testament times.
In the Orthodox Church, the ranks have their own strict hierarchy. Despite the fact that we call most of the clergy by the common word "father", which is quite acceptable, each of them has his own Orthodox rank, or, in secular terms, position. To begin with, it is necessary to clarify that all the clergy are divided into white (married) and black (monastic).
This is important, since the Orthodox ranks of married priests are fundamentally different from the ranks of monastics. In addition, the clergy are divided according to the degrees of priesthood into deacons, priests and bishops. Each of these hierarchical groups has its own powers: the deacon can proclaim prayer petitions during the service and help the priest, the priest can perform the sacraments, the bishop can not only perform the sacraments, but also ordain deacon and priest.
Orthodox ranks - white clergy
Being a married priest in the Orthodox Church is considered less prestigious than being a monastic, and this is due to a significant limitation in career advancement.
A family priest can receive only four Orthodox orders:
- deacon,
- protodeacon (senior deacon in a temple, cathedral),
- priest (presbyter)
- archpriest (protopresbyter, senior priest).
Despite this, many prefer to choose the family path and be content with the prescribed Orthodox ranks, since they can withstand the strict restrictions associated with monastic life, few can do it.
Orthodox orders of monastics
There are many more monastic orders in the Orthodox Church:
- hierodeacon,
- archdeacon (senior deacon in a monastery),
- hieromonk,
- igumen,
- archimandrite,
- bishop,
- archbishop,
- metropolitan,
- patriarch.
As can be clearly seen from this list, there are much more prospects for monastic clergy to receive a high Orthodox rank. True, some priests manage to make it everywhere: the situation when a family priest, having raised children and provided them with education, leaves for a monastery with the consent of his wife, happens all the time in the Orthodox Church. However, one should not immediately accuse such priests of a career race for a prestigious one: for the most part, the desire to enter a monastery is dictated by the dictates of the heart, and not by vanity. In addition, the spouse may also wish to serve God in the monastery for the rest of her days. A vivid example of such a pious couple is the Monks Peter and Fevronia of Murom.
