Hierarchy of church ranks. Ranks in the Orthodox Church in ascending order: their hierarchy

In Orthodoxy, there is a distinction between white clergy (priests who did not take monastic vows) and black clergy (monasticism)

The ranks of the white clergy:
:

Altar boy is the name given to a male layman who helps the clergy at the altar. The term is not used in canonical and liturgical texts, but became generally accepted in this meaning by the end of the 20th century. in many European dioceses in the Russian Orthodox Church the name “altar boy” is not generally accepted. In the Siberian dioceses of the Russian Orthodox Church it is not used; instead, in this meaning, the more traditional term sexton, as well as novice, is usually used. The sacrament of priesthood is not performed over the altar boy; he only receives a blessing from the rector of the temple to serve at the altar.
the duties of the altar server include monitoring the timely and correct lighting of candles, lamps and other lamps in the altar and in front of the iconostasis; preparation of vestments for priests and deacons; bringing prosphora, wine, water, incense to the altar; lighting the coal and preparing the censer; giving a fee for wiping the lips during Communion; assistance to the priest in performing the sacraments and requirements; cleaning the altar; if necessary, reading during the service and performing the duties of a bell ringer. The altar server is prohibited from touching the altar and its accessories, as well as moving from one side of the altar to the other between the altar and the Royal Doors. The altar server wears a surplice over secular clothing.

Reader (psalm-reader; earlier, before late XIX- sexton, lat. lector) - in Christianity - the lowest rank of clergy, not elevated to the degree of priesthood, reading the texts of the Holy Scriptures and prayers during public worship. In addition, according to ancient tradition, readers not only read in Christian churches, but also interpreted the meaning of difficult-to-understand texts, translated them into the languages ​​of their area, delivered sermons, taught converts and children, sang various hymns (chants), engaged in charity work, had other church obediences. IN Orthodox Church Readers are ordained by bishops through a special rite - hirotesia, otherwise called “ordination”. This is the first ordination of a layman, only after which can he be ordained as a subdeacon, and then ordained as a deacon, then as a priest and, higher, as a bishop (bishop). The reader has the right to wear a cassock, belt and skufia. During tonsure, a small veil is first put on him, which is then removed and a surplice is put on.

Subdeacon (Greek Υποδιάκονος; in common parlance (obsolete) subdeacon from the Greek ὑπο - “under”, “below” + Greek διάκονος - minister) - a clergyman in the Orthodox Church, serving mainly under the bishop during his ceremonies yay, wearing in front In the indicated cases, the trikiriy, dikiriy and ripida, laying the eagle, washes his hands, clothes him and performs some other actions. In the modern Church, the subdeacon does not have a sacred degree, although he wears a surplice and has one of the accessories of the deaconate - an orarion, which is worn crosswise over both shoulders and symbolizes angelic wings. Being the most senior clergyman, the subdeacon is an intermediate link between clergy and clergy. Therefore, the subdeacon, with the blessing of the serving bishop, can touch the throne and the altar during divine services and at certain moments enter the altar through the Royal Doors.

Deacon (lit. form; colloquial deacon; ancient Greek διάκονος - minister) - a person serving in church service at the first, lowest degree of the priesthood.
In the Orthodox East and in Russia, deacons still occupy the same hierarchical position as in ancient times. Their job and significance is to be assistants during worship. They themselves cannot perform public worship and be representatives of the Christian community. Due to the fact that a priest can perform all services and services without a deacon, deacons cannot be considered absolutely necessary. On this basis, it is possible to reduce the number of deacons in churches and parishes. We resorted to such reductions to increase the salary of priests.

Protodeacon or protodeacon is the title of the white clergy, the chief deacon in the diocese at the cathedral. The title of protodeacon was complained of in the form of a reward for special merits, as well as to deacons of the court department. The insignia of a protodeacon is the protodeacon’s orarion with the words “Holy, holy, holy.” Currently, the title of protodeacon is usually given to deacons after 20 years of service in the priesthood. Protodeacons are often famous for their voice, being one of the main decorations of the divine service.

Priest (Greek Ἱερεύς) is a term that passed from the Greek language, where it originally meant “priest,” into Christian church usage; literally translated into Russian - priest. In the Russian Church it is used as a junior title for a white priest. He receives from the bishop the authority to teach people the faith of Christ, to perform all the Sacraments, except the Sacrament of Ordination of the priesthood, and all church services, except for the consecration of antimensions.

Archpriest (Greek πρωτοιερεύς - “high priest”, from πρώτος “first” + ἱερεύς “priest”) is a title given to a member of the white clergy as a reward in the Orthodox Church. The archpriest is usually the rector of the temple. Ordination to the archpriest occurs through consecration. During divine services (except for the liturgy), priests (priests, archpriests, hieromonks) wear a phelonion (chasuble) and stole over their cassock and cassock.

Protopresbyter is the highest rank for a member of the white clergy in the Russian Church and in some other local churches. After 1917, it is assigned in isolated cases to priests of the priesthood as a reward; is not a separate degree. In the modern Russian Orthodox Church, the award of the rank of protopresbyter is carried out “in exceptional cases, for special church merits, on the initiative and decision of His Holiness the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'.

Black clergy:

Hierodeacon (hierodeacon) (from the Greek ἱερο- - sacred and διάκονος - minister; Old Russian “black deacon”) - a monk in the rank of deacon. The senior hierodeacon is called the archdeacon.

Hieromonk (Greek: Ἱερομόναχος) - in the Orthodox Church, a monk who has the rank of priest (that is, the right to perform the sacraments). Monks become hieromonks through ordination or white priests through monastic tonsure.

Hegumen (Greek ἡγούμενος - “leading”, female abbess) is the abbot of an Orthodox monastery.

Archimandrite (Greek αρχιμανδρίτης; from Greek αρχι - chief, senior + Greek μάνδρα - corral, sheepfold, fence meaning monastery) - one of the highest monastic ranks in the Orthodox Church (below the bishop), corresponds to the mitred (awarded with a miter) pro priest and protopresbyter in the white clergy.

Bishop (Greek ἐπίσκοπος - “supervisor”, “supervisor”) in the modern Church is a person who has the third, highest degree of priesthood, otherwise a bishop.

Metropolitan (Greek: μητροπολίτης) is the first episcopal title in the Church in antiquity.

Patriarch (Greek Πατριάρχης, from Greek πατήρ - “father” and ἀρχή - “domination, beginning, power”) is the title of the representative of the autocephalous Orthodox Church in a number of Local Churches; also the title of senior bishop; historically, before the Great Schism, it was assigned to the five bishops of the Universal Church (Rome, Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch and Jerusalem), who had the rights of the highest church-governmental jurisdiction. The Patriarch is elected by the Local Council.

Every Orthodox person meets with clergy who speak publicly or conduct services in church. At first glance, you can understand that each of them wears some special rank, because it’s not for nothing that they have differences in clothing: different colored robes, hats, some have jewelry made of precious stones, while others are more ascetic. But not everyone is given the ability to understand ranks. To find out the main ranks of clergy and monks, let's look at the ranks of the Orthodox Church in ascending order.

It should immediately be said that all ranks are divided into two categories:

1. Secular clergy. These include ministers who may have a family, wife and children.
2. Black clergy. These are those who accepted monasticism and renounced worldly life.

Secular clergy

The description of people who serve the Church and the Lord comes from the Old Testament. The scripture says that before the Nativity of Christ, the prophet Moses appointed people who were supposed to communicate with God. It is with these people that today's hierarchy of ranks is associated.

Altar server (novice)

This person is a lay assistant to the clergy. His responsibilities include:

If necessary, a novice can ring bells and read prayers, but he is strictly forbidden to touch the throne and walk between the altar and the Royal Doors. The altar server wears the most ordinary clothes, with a surplice thrown over the top.

This person is not elevated to the rank of clergy. He must read prayers and words from scripture, interpret them to ordinary people and explain to children the basic rules of Christian life. For special zeal, the clergyman can ordain the psalmist as a subdeacon. From church clothes he is allowed to wear a cassock and a skufia (velvet cap).

This person also does not have holy orders. But he can wear a surplice and an orarion. If the bishop blesses him, then the subdeacon can touch the throne and enter through the Royal Doors into the altar. Most often, the subdeacon helps the priest perform the service. He washes his hands during services and gives him the necessary items (tricirium, ripids).

Church ranks of the Orthodox Church

All of the church ministers listed above are not clergy. These are simple peaceful people who want to get closer to the church and the Lord God. They are accepted into their positions only with the blessing of the priest. Let's start looking at the ecclesiastical ranks of the Orthodox Church from the lowest.

The position of deacon has remained unchanged since ancient times. He, just as before, must help in worship, but he is prohibited from performing independently church service and represent the Church in society. His main responsibility- reading the Gospel. Currently, the need for the services of a deacon is no longer required, so their number in churches is steadily decreasing.

This is the most important deacon at a cathedral or church. Previously, this rank was given to a protodeacon, who was distinguished by his special zeal for service. To determine that this is a protodeacon, you should look at his vestments. If he wears an orarion with the words “Holy! Holy! Holy,” that means he’s the one in front of you. But at present, this rank is given only after a deacon has served in the church for at least 15–20 years.

These are the people who have beautiful singing voice, know many psalms and prayers, and sing at various church services.

This word came to us from the Greek language and translated means “priest.” In the Orthodox Church this is the lowest rank of priest. The bishop gives him the following powers:

• perform divine services and other sacraments;
• bring teaching to people;
• conduct communion.

The priest is prohibited from consecrating antimensions and performing the sacrament of ordination of the priesthood. Instead of a hood, his head is covered with a kamilavka.

This rank is given as a reward for some merit. The archpriest is the most important among the priests and also the rector of the temple. During the performance of the sacraments, archpriests put on a chasuble and stole. Several archpriests can serve in one liturgical institution at once.

This rank is given only by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' as a reward for the kindest and most useful deeds that a person has done in favor of the Russian Orthodox Church. This is the highest rank in the white clergy. It will no longer be possible to earn a higher rank, since then there are ranks that are prohibited from starting a family.

Nevertheless, many, in order to get a promotion, leave worldly life, family, children and go into monastic life forever. In such families, the wife most often supports her husband and also goes to the monastery to take monastic vows.

Black clergy

It includes only those who have taken monastic vows. This hierarchy of ranks is more detailed than that of those who preferred family life to monastic life.

This is a monk who is a deacon. He helps clergy conduct sacraments and perform services. For example, he carries out the vessels necessary for rituals or makes prayer requests. The most senior hierodeacon is called "archdeacon."

This is a man who is a priest. He is allowed to perform various sacred sacraments. This rank can be received by priests from the white clergy who decided to become monks, and by those who have undergone consecration (giving a person the right to perform the sacraments).

This is the abbot or abbess of a Russian Orthodox monastery or temple. Previously, most often, this rank was given as a reward for services to the Russian Orthodox Church. But since 2011, the patriarch decided to grant this rank to any abbot of the monastery. During initiation, the abbot is given a staff with which he must walk around his domain.

This is one of the highest ranks in Orthodoxy. Upon receiving it, the clergyman is also awarded a miter. The archimandrite wears a black monastic robe, which distinguishes him from other monks by the fact that he has red tablets on him. If, in addition, the archimandrite is the rector of any temple or monastery, he has the right to carry a rod - a staff. He is supposed to be addressed as “Your Reverence.”

This rank belongs to the category of bishops. At their ordination, they received the highest grace of the Lord and therefore can perform any sacred rites, even ordain deacons. By church laws they have equal rights; the archbishop is considered the most senior. According to ancient tradition, only a bishop can bless the service with an antimis. This is a quadrangular scarf in which part of the relics of a saint is sewn.

This clergyman also controls and guards all monasteries and churches that are located on the territory of his diocese. The generally accepted address to a bishop is “Vladyka” or “Your Eminence.”

This is a high-ranking clergy or the highest title of bishop, the oldest on earth. He obeys only the patriarch. Differs from other dignitaries in the following details in clothing:

• has a blue robe (bishops have red ones);
• hood white with a cross trimmed with precious stones (the rest have a black hood).

This rank is given for very high merits and is a badge of distinction.

The highest rank in the Orthodox Church, chief priest countries. The word itself combines two roots: “father” and “power”. He is elected at the Council of Bishops. This rank is for life; only in the rarest cases can it be deposed and excommunicated. When the place of the patriarch is empty, a locum tenens is appointed as a temporary executor, who does everything that the patriarch should do.

This position carries responsibility not only for itself, but also for the entire Orthodox people of the country.

The ranks in the Orthodox Church, in ascending order, have their own clear hierarchy. Despite the fact that we call many clergymen “father,” each Orthodox Christian must know the main differences between dignitaries and positions.

The church hierarchy is the three degrees of priesthood in their subordination and the degree of administrative hierarchy of clergy.

Clergy

Servants of the Church who, in the Sacrament of the Priesthood, receive a special gift of the grace of the Holy Spirit to perform the sacraments and worship, teach people the Christian faith and manage the affairs of the Church. There are three degrees of priesthood: deacon, priest and bishop. In addition, the entire clergy is divided into “white” - priests who are married or have taken a vow of celibacy, and “black” - priests who have taken monastic vows.

A bishop is appointed by a council of bishops (that is, several bishops together) in the Sacrament of the Priesthood through a special episcopal consecration, that is, ordination.

In the modern Russian tradition, only a monk can become a bishop.

The bishop has the right to perform all sacraments and church services.

As a rule, a bishop is at the head of a diocese, a church district, and cares for all the parish and monastic communities included in his diocese, but he can also perform special church-wide and diocesan obediences without having his own diocese.

Bishop titles

Bishop

Archbishop- oldest, most honored
bishop.

Metropolitan- bishop of the main city, region or province
or the most honored bishop.

Vicar(lat. vicar) - bishop - assistant to another bishop or his deputy.

Patriarch- chief bishop in the Local Orthodox Church.

The priest is ordained by the bishop in the Sacrament of the Priesthood through priestly ordination, i.e. ordination.

The priest can perform all divine services and sacraments, except for the consecration of the chrism (the oil used in the Sacrament of Confirmation) and antimensions (a special plate consecrated and signed by the bishop, on which the liturgy is performed), and the Sacraments of the Priesthood - only the bishop can perform them.

A priest, like a deacon, as a rule, serves in a specific church and is assigned to it.

The priest at the head of the parish community is called the rector.

Titles of priests

from the white clergy
Priest

Archpriest- the first of the priests, usually an emeritus priest.

Protopresbyter- a special title, awarded rarely, as a reward for the most worthy and honored priests, usually rectors of cathedrals.

from the black clergy

Hieromonk

Archimandrite(Greek head of the sheepfold) - in ancient times the abbot of certain famous monasteries, in modern tradition- the most honored hieromonk or abbot of the monastery.

Abbot(Greek presenter)

currently the abbot of the monastery. Until 2011 - Honored Hieromonk. When leaving a position
The abbot title of abbot is retained. Awarded
with the rank of abbot until 2011 and who are not abbots of monasteries, this title is retained.

A bishop ordains a deacon in the Sacrament of the Priesthood through deacon ordination, i.e. ordination.

The deacon assists the bishop or priest in performing divine services and sacraments.

The participation of a deacon in divine services is not obligatory.

Titles of deacons

from the white clergy
Deacon

Protodeacon- senior deacon

from the black clergy

Hierodeacon

Archdeacon- senior hierodeacon

Clergymen

They are not part of the main clergy hierarchy. These are ministers of the Church who are appointed to their positions not through the Sacrament of Priesthood, but through ordination, that is, with the blessing of the bishop. They do not have the special gift of grace of the Sacrament of the Priesthood and are assistants to the clergy.

Subdeacon- participates in bishop's services as an assistant to the bishop.

Psalmist/reader, singer- reads and sings during services.

Sexton/altar boy- most common name assistants during worship. Calls believers to worship by ringing bells, helps at the altar during services. Sometimes the duty of ringing bells is entrusted to special servants - bell ringers, but not every parish has such an opportunity.

(who first used this term), a continuation of the heavenly hierarchy: a three-degree sacred order, whose representatives communicate divine grace to the church people through worship. Currently, the hierarchy is a “class” of clergy (clergy) divided into three degrees (“ranks”) and in a broad sense corresponds to the concept of clergy.

For greater clarity, the structure of the modern hierarchical ladder of the Russian Orthodox Church can be represented by the following table:

The lower clergy (clerics) are outside this three-tier structure: subdeacons, readers, singers, altar servers, sextons, church watchmen and others.

Orthodox, Catholics, as well as representatives of the ancient eastern (“pre-Chalcedonian”) Churches (Armenian, Coptic, Ethiopian, etc.) base their hierarchy on the concept of “apostolic succession.” The latter is understood as a retrospective continuous (!) sequence of a long chain of episcopal consecrations, going back to the apostles themselves, who ordained the first bishops as their sovereign successors. Thus, “apostolic succession” is the concrete (“material”) succession of episcopal ordination. Therefore, the bearers and guardians of internal “apostolic grace” and external hierarchical power in the Church are bishops (bishops). Protestant confessions and sects, as well as our priestless Old Believers, based on this criterion, do not have a hierarchy, since representatives of their “clergy” (leaders of communities and liturgical meetings) are only elected (appointed) for church administrative service, but not possess an internal gift of grace, communicated in the sacrament of the priesthood and which alone gives the right to perform the sacraments. (A special question is about the legality of the Anglican hierarchy, which has long been debated by theologians.)

Representatives of each of the three degrees of the priesthood differ from each other by “grace” granted to them during elevation (ordination) to a specific degree, or by “impersonal holiness,” which is not associated with the subjective qualities of the clergyman. The bishop, as the successor of the apostles, has full liturgical and administrative powers within his diocese. (The head of a local Orthodox Church, autonomous or autocephalous - an archbishop, metropolitan or patriarch - is only “first among equals” within the episcopate of his Church). He has the right to perform all the sacraments, including successively elevating (ordaining) representatives of his clergy and clergy to sacred degrees. Only the consecration of a bishop is carried out by a “council” or at least two other bishops, as determined by the head of the Church and the synod attached to him. A representative of the second degree of priesthood (priest) has the right to perform all sacraments, except for any consecration or consecration (even as a reader). His complete dependence on the bishop, who in the Ancient Church was the predominant celebrant of all the sacraments, is also expressed in the fact that he performs the sacrament of confirmation in the presence of the chrism previously consecrated by the patriarch (replacing the laying on of the hands of the bishop on the head of a person), and the Eucharist - only with the presence of the antimins he received from the ruling bishop. A representative of the lowest level of the hierarchy, a deacon, is only a co-celebrant and assistant of a bishop or priest, who does not have the right to perform any sacrament or divine service according to the “priestly rite.” In case of emergency, he can only baptize according to the “secular rite”; and your cell (home) prayer rule and the divine services of the daily cycle (the Hours) are performed according to the Book of Hours or the “secular” Prayer Book, without priestly exclamations and prayers.

All representatives within one hierarchical degree are equal to each other “by grace,” which gives them the right to a strictly defined range of liturgical powers and actions (in this aspect, a newly ordained village priest is no different from an honored protopresbyter - the rector of the main parish church of the Russian Church). The difference is only in administrative seniority and honor. This is emphasized by the ceremony of successive elevation to the ranks of one degree of priesthood (deacon - to protodeacon, hieromonk - to abbot, etc.). It occurs at the Liturgy during the entrance with the Gospel outside the altar, in the middle of the temple, as if awarded with some element of vestment (gaiter, club, miter), which symbolizes the person’s preservation of the level of “impersonal holiness” given to him at ordination. At the same time, elevation (ordination) to each of the three degrees of priesthood takes place only inside the altar, which means the transition of the ordained to a qualitatively new ontological level of liturgical existence.

History of the development of hierarchy in ancient period Christianity has not been fully elucidated; only the firm formation of the modern three degrees of priesthood by the 3rd century is indisputable. with the simultaneous disappearance of the early Christian archaic degrees (prophets, didaskals– “charismatic teachers”, etc.). The formation of the modern order of “ranks” (ranks, or gradations) within each of the three degrees of the hierarchy took much longer. Their meaning original names, reflecting specific activities, changed significantly. So, abbot (Greek. egu?menos– lit. ruling,presiding, – one root with “hegemon” and “hegemon”!), initially - the head of a monastic community or monastery, whose power is based on personal authority, a spiritually experienced person, but the same monk as the rest of the “brotherhood”, without any sacred degree. Currently, the term "abbot" indicates only a representative of the second rank of the second degree of the priesthood. At the same time, he can be the rector of a monastery, a parish church (or an ordinary priest of this church), but also simply a full-time employee of a religious educational institution or an economic (or other) department of the Moscow Patriarchate, whose official duties are not directly related to his priestly rank. Therefore in in this case elevation to another rank (rank) is simply an increase in rank, an official award “for length of service,” for an anniversary or for another reason (similar to the assignment of another military degree not for participation in military campaigns or maneuvers).

3) In scientific and common usage, the word “hierarchy” means:
a) arrangement of parts or elements of the whole (of any design or logically complete structure) in descending order - from highest to lowest (or vice versa);
b) strict arrangement of official ranks and titles in the order of their subordination, both civilian and military (“hierarchical ladder”). The latter represent the typologically closest structure to the sacred hierarchy and a three-degree structure (rank and file - officers - generals).

Lit.: The clergy of the ancient universal Church from the times of the apostles to the 9th century. M., 1905; Zom R. Lebedev A.P. On the question of the origin of the early Christian hierarchy. Sergiev Posad, 1907; MirkovicL. Orthodox Liturgics. Prvi opshti deo. Another edition. Beograd, 1965 (in Serbian); Felmy K.H. Introduction to Modern Orthodox Theology. M., 1999. S. 254-271; Afanasiev N., prot. Holy Spirit. K., 2005; The Study of Liturgy: Revised edition / Ed. by C. Jones, G. Wainwright, E. Yarnold S. J., P. Bradshaw. – 2nd ed. London – New York, 1993 (Chap. IV: Ordination. P. 339-398).

BISHOP

BISHOP (Greek) archiereus) – in pagan religions – “high priest” (this is the literal meaning of this term), in Rome – Pontifex maximus; in the Septuagint - the highest representative of the Old Testament priesthood - the high priest (). In the New Testament - the naming of Jesus Christ (), who did not belong to the Aaronic priesthood (see Melchizedek). In the modern Orthodox Greek-Slavic tradition, it is the generic name for all representatives of the highest degree of hierarchy, or “episcopal” (i.e., bishops themselves, archbishops, metropolitans and patriarchs). See Episcopate, Clergy, Hierarchy, Clergy.

DEACON

DEACON, DIACON (Greek. diakonos- “servant”, “minister”) - in ancient Christian communities - an assistant to the bishop leading the Eucharistic meeting. The first mention of D. is in the epistles of St. Paul (and). His closeness to a representative of the highest degree of the priesthood was expressed in the fact that the administrative powers of the D. (actually the archdeacon) often placed him above the priest (especially in the West). The church tradition, which genetically traces the modern diaconate to the “seven men” of the book of the Acts of the Apostles (6:2-6 - not named at all by D. here!), is scientifically very vulnerable.

Currently, D. is a representative of the lowest, first degree of the church hierarchy, “a minister of the word of God,” whose liturgical duties consist primarily of reading out loud Holy Scripture (“evangelization”), proclamation on behalf of the praying litanies, censing of the temple. The church charter provides for his assistance to the priest performing the proskomedia. D. does not have the right to perform any divine service and even to put on his own liturgical clothes, but must every time ask for the “blessing” of the clergyman. The purely auxiliary liturgical function of D. is emphasized by his elevation to this rank at the Liturgy after the Eucharistic canon (and even at the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, which does not contain the Eucharistic canon). (At the request of the ruling bishop, this can happen at other times.) He is only a “minister (servant) during the sacred rite” or a “Levite” (). A priest can do without D. entirely (this occurs mainly in poor rural parishes). D.'s liturgical vestments: surplice, orarion and shoulder straps. Non-liturgical clothing, like that of a priest, is a cassock and cassock (but without a cross over the cassock, worn by the latter). Official address to D., found in old literature, “Your gospel” or “Your blessing” (not used now). The address “Your Reverence” can be considered competent only in relation to the monastic D. The everyday address is “Father D.” or “father named”, or simply by name and patronymic.

The term “D.”, without specification (“simply” D.), indicates his belonging to the white clergy. A representative of the same lower rank in the black clergy (monastic D.) is called “hierodeacon” (lit. “hierodeacon”). He has the same vestments as D. from the white clergy; but outside of worship he wears the clothes common to all monks. The representative of the second (and last) rank of deaconate among the white clergy is the “protodeacon” (“first D.”), historically the eldest (in the liturgical aspect) among several D. serving together in big temple(cathedral). It is distinguished by a “double orar” and a kamilavka purple(given as a reward). The reward at present is the rank of protodeacon itself, so there can be more than one protodeacon in one cathedral. The first among several hierodeacons (in a monastery) is called “archdeacon” (“senior D.”). A hierodeacon who constantly serves with a bishop is also usually elevated to the rank of archdeacon. Like the protodeacon, he has a double orarion and a kamilavka (the latter is black); non-liturgical clothes are the same as those worn by the hierodeacon.

In ancient times there was an institution of deaconesses (“ministers”), whose duties consisted mainly of caring for sick women, preparing women for baptism, and serving priests at their baptism “for the sake of propriety.” St. (+403) explains in detail the special position of deaconesses in connection with their participation in this sacrament, while decisively excluding them from participation in the Eucharist. But, according to the Byzantine tradition, deaconesses received a special ordination (similar to that of a deacon) and participated in the communion of women; at the same time, they had the right to enter the altar and take St. cup directly from the throne (!). The revival of the institution of deaconesses in Western Christianity has been observed since the 19th century. In 1911, the first community of deaconesses was supposed to be opened in Moscow. The issue of reviving this institution was discussed at the Local Council of the Russian Orthodox Church in 1917-18, but, due to the circumstances of the time, no decision was made.

Lit.: Zom R. Church system in the first centuries of Christianity. M., 1906, p. 196-207; Kirill (Gundyaev), archimandrite. On the issue of the origin of the diaconate // Theological works. M., 1975. Sat. 13, p. 201-207; IN. Deaconesses in the Orthodox Church. St. Petersburg, 1912.

DIACONATE

DIACONATE (DIACONATE) - the lowest degree of church Orthodox hierarchy, including 1) deacon and protodeacon (representatives of the “white clergy”) and 2) hierodeacon and archdeacon (representatives of the “black clergy.” See Deacon, Hierarchy.

EPISCOPATH

EPISCOPATE is the collective name for the highest (third) degree of priesthood in the Orthodox church hierarchy. Representatives of E., also collectively referred to as bishops or hierarchs, are currently distributed, in order of administrative seniority, into the following ranks.

Bishop(Greek episkopos - lit. overseer, guardian) - an independent and authorized representative of the “local church” - the diocese headed by him, therefore called the “bishopric”. His distinctive non-liturgical clothing is the cassock. black hood and staff. Address - Your Eminence. A special variety - the so-called. "vicar bishop" (lat. vicarius- deputy, vicar), who is only an assistant to the ruling bishop of a large diocese (metropolis). He is under his direct supervision, carrying out assignments on the affairs of the diocese, and bears the title of one of the cities on its territory. There can be one vicar bishop in a diocese (in the St. Petersburg Metropolis, with the title “Tikhvinsky”) or several (in the Moscow Metropolis).

Archbishop(“senior bishop”) - a representative of the second rank E. The ruling bishop is usually elevated to this rank for some merit or after a certain time (as a reward). He differs from the bishop only in the presence of a pearl cross sewn on his black hood (above his forehead). Address - Your Eminence.

Metropolitan(from Greek meter– “mother” and polis- “city”), in the Christian Roman Empire - the bishop of the metropolis (“mother of cities”), the main city of a region or province (diocese). A metropolitan can also be the head of a Church that does not have the status of a patriarchate (the Russian Church until 1589 was ruled by a metropolitan with the title first of Kiev and then of Moscow). The rank of metropolitan is currently bestowed on a bishop either as a reward (after the rank of archbishop), or in the case of transfer to a department that has the status of a metropolitan see (St. Petersburg, Krutitskaya). A distinctive feature is a white hood with a pearl cross. Address - Your Eminence.

Exarch(Greek chief, leader) - the name of a church-hierarchical degree, dating back to the 4th century. Initially, this title was borne only by representatives of the most prominent metropolises (some later turned into patriarchates), as well as extraordinary commissioners of the Patriarchs of Constantinople, who were sent by them to the dioceses on special assignments. In Russia, this title was first adopted in 1700, after the death of Patr. Adrian, locum tenens of the patriarchal throne. The head of the Georgian Church (since 1811) was also called Exarch during the period when it became part of the Russian Orthodox Church. In the 60s - 80s. 20th century some foreign parishes of the Russian Church were united on a territorial basis into the “Western European”, “Central European”, “Central and South American” exarchates. The governing hierarchs could be of lower rank than the metropolitan. A special position was occupied by the Metropolitan of Kiev, who bore the title “Patriarchal Exarch of Ukraine.” Currently, only the Metropolitan of Minsk (“Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus”) bears the title of exarch.

Patriarch(lit. “ancestor”) - a representative of the highest administrative rank of E., - the head, otherwise the primate (“standing in front”), of the Autocephalous Church. A characteristic distinctive feature is a white headdress with a pearl cross attached above it. The official title of the head of the Russian Orthodox Church is “ His Holiness Patriarch Moscow and All Rus'". Address - Your Holiness.

Lit.: Charter on the governance of the Russian Orthodox Church. M., 1989; see the article Hierarchy.

JEREY

JEREY (Greek) hiereus) - in a broad sense - “sacrificer” (“priest”), “priest” (from hiereuo - “to sacrifice”). In Greek language is used both to designate the servants of pagan (mythological) gods, and the true One God, i.e., Old Testament and Christian priests. (In the Russian tradition, pagan priests are called “priests.”) In the narrow sense, in Orthodox liturgical terminology, I. is a representative of the lowest rank of the second degree of the Orthodox priesthood (see table). Synonyms: priest, presbyter, priest (obsolete).

HIPODIACON

HYPODEAKON, HYPODIAKON (from Greek. hupo– “under” and diakonos- “deacon”, “minister”) - an Orthodox clergyman, occupying a position in the hierarchy of the lower clergy below the deacon, his assistant (which fixes the naming), but above the reader. When consecrated into Islam, the dedicatee (reader) is clothed over the surplice in a cross-shaped orarion, and the bishop reads a prayer with the laying of his hand on his head. In ancient times, I. was classified as a clergyman and no longer had the right to marry (if he was single before being elevated to this rank).

Traditionally, the responsibilities of the priest included taking care of sacred vessels and altar covers, guarding the altar, leading catechumens out of the church during the Liturgy, etc. The emergence of the subdiaconate as a special institution dates back to the 1st half of the 3rd century. and are associated with the custom of the Roman Church not to exceed the number of deacons in one city above seven (see). Currently, the subdeacon's service can only be seen during the bishop's service. Subdeacons are not members of the clergy of one church, but are assigned to the staff of a specific bishop. They accompany him during mandatory trips to the churches of the diocese, serve during services - they dress him before the start of the service, supply him with water for washing his hands, participate in specific ceremonies and actions that are absent during regular services - and also carry out various extra-church assignments. Most often, I. are students of theological educational institutions, for whom this service becomes a necessary step to further ascent up the hierarchical ladder. The bishop himself tonsures his I. into monasticism, ordains him to the priesthood, preparing him for further independent service. There is an important continuity in this: many modern hierarchs went through the “subdeaconal schools” of prominent bishops of the older generation (sometimes even pre-revolutionary consecration), inheriting their rich liturgical culture, system of church-theological views and manner of communication. See Deacon, Hierarchy, Ordination.

Lit.: Zom R. Church system in the first centuries of Christianity. M., 1906; Veniamin (Rumovsky-Krasnopevkov V.F.), archbishop. New Tablet, or Explanation of the Church, Liturgy and all services and church utensils. M., 1992. T. 2. P. 266-269; Works of the blessed one. Simeon, Archbishop Thessalonian. M., 1994. pp. 213-218.

CLERGY

CLER (Greek - “lot”, “share inherited by lot”) - in a broad sense - a set of clergy (clergy) and clergy (subdeacons, readers, singers, sextons, altar servers). “Clerics are so called because they are elected to church degrees in the same way as Matthias, appointed by the apostles, was chosen by lot” (Blessed Augustine). In relation to temple (church) service, people are divided into the following categories.

I. In the Old Testament: 1) the “clergy” (high priests, priests and “Levites” (lower ministers) and 2) the people. The principle of the hierarchy here is “tribal”, therefore only representatives of the “tribe” (tribe) of Levi are “clerics”: the high priests are direct representatives of the clan of Aaron; priests are representatives of the same family, but not necessarily direct; Levites are representatives of other clans of the same tribe. “People” are representatives of all other tribes of Israel (as well as non-Israelites who accepted the religion of Moses).

II. In the New Testament: 1) “clergy” (clergy and clergy) and 2) the people. The national criterion is abolished. All Christian men who meet certain canonical standards can become priests and clergymen. Women are allowed to participate (auxiliary positions: “deaconesses” in the Ancient Church, singers, servants in the temple, etc.), but they are not classified as “clergy” (see Deacon). “The people” (the laity) are all other Christians. In the Ancient Church, the “people,” in turn, were divided into 1) laity and 2) monks (when this institution arose). The latter differed from the “laity” only in their way of life, occupying the same position in relation to the clergy (acceptance of holy orders was considered incompatible with the monastic ideal). However, this criterion was not absolute, and soon monks began to occupy the highest church positions. The content of the concept of K. has changed over the centuries, acquiring rather contradictory meanings. Thus, in the broadest sense, the concept of K. includes, along with priests and deacons, the highest clergy (episcopal, or bishopric) - so in: clergy (ordo) and laity (plebs). On the contrary, in a narrow meaning, also recorded in the first centuries of Christianity, K. are only clergy below the deacon (our clergy). In the Old Russian Church, the clergy is a collection of altar and non-altar ministers, with the exception of the bishop. Modern K. in a broad sense includes both clergy (ordained clergy) and clergy, or clerics (see Clergy).

Lit.: On the Old Testament priesthood // Christ. Reading. 1879. Part 2; Titov G., priest. Controversy on the issue of the Old Testament priesthood and the essence of priestly ministry in general. St. Petersburg, 1882; and under the article Hierarchy.

LOCATOR

LOCAL TENNS – a person temporarily performing the duties of a high-ranking state or church figure (synonyms: viceroy, exarch, vicar). In the Russian church tradition, only “M. patriarchal throne,” a bishop who governs the Church after the death of one patriarch until the election of another. The most famous in this capacity are Met. , mit. Peter (Polyansky) and Metropolitan. Sergius (Stragorodsky), who became Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' in 1943.

PATRIARCH

PATRIARCH (PATRIARCHES) (Greek. patriarches –“ancestor”, “forefather”) is an important term of biblical Christian religious tradition, used primarily in the following meanings.

1. The Bible calls the P.-mi, firstly, the ancestors of all mankind (“antediluvian P.-i”), and secondly, the ancestors of the people of Israel (“the forefathers of the people of God”). All of them lived before the Mosaic Law (see Old Testament) and therefore were the exclusive guardians of the true religion. The first ten P., from Adam to Noah, whose symbolic genealogy is represented by the book of Genesis (chap. 5), were endowed with extraordinary longevity, necessary to preserve the promises entrusted to them in this first earthly history after the Fall. Of these, Enoch stands out, who lived “only” 365 years, “because God took him” (), and his son Methuselah, on the contrary, lived longer than the others, 969 years, and died, according to Jewish tradition, in the year of the flood (hence the expression “ Methuselah, or Methuselah, age"). The second category of biblical stories begins with Abraham, the founder of a new generation of believers.

2. P. is a representative of the highest rank of the Christian church hierarchy. The title of P. in a strict canonical meaning was established by the Fourth Ecumenical (Chalcedon) Council in 451, which assigned it to the bishops of the five main Christian centers, determining their order in diptychs according to “seniority of honor.” The first place belonged to the bishop of Rome, followed by the bishops of Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch and Jerusalem. Later, the title of P. was also received by the heads of other Churches, and the Constantinople P., after the break with Rome (1054), received primacy in the Orthodox world.

In Rus', the patriarchate (as a form of government of the Church) was established in 1589. (before this, the Church was ruled by metropolitans with the title first “Kiev” and then “Moscow and All Rus'”). Later, the Russian patriarch was approved by the Eastern patriarchs as fifth in seniority (after the Jerusalem one). The first period of the patriarchate lasted 111 years and actually ended with the death of the tenth Patriarch Adrian (1700), and legally - in 1721, with the abolition of the very institution of the patriarchate and its replacement by a collective body of church government - the Holy Governing Synod. (From 1700 to 1721, the Church was ruled by Metropolitan Stefan Yavorsky of Ryazan with the title “Locum Tenens of the Patriarchal Throne.”) The second patriarchal period, which began with the restoration of the patriarchate in 1917, continues to the present day.

Currently, the following Orthodox patriarchates exist: Constantinople (Turkey), Alexandria (Egypt), Antioch (Syria), Jerusalem, Moscow, Georgian, Serbian, Romanian and Bulgarian.

In addition, the title of P. is held by the heads of some other Christian (Eastern) Churches - Armenian (P. Catholicos), Maronite, Nestorian, Ethiopian, etc. Since the Crusades in the Christian East there have been so-called. "Latin patriarchs" who are canonically subordinate to the Roman Church. Some Western Catholic bishops (Venetian, Lisbon) also have this same title, in the form of an honorary distinction.

Lit.: Old Testament doctrine in the time of the patriarchs. St. Petersburg, 1886; Roberson R. Eastern Christian Churches. St. Petersburg, 1999.

SEXTON

SEXTON (or “paramonar” - Greek. paramonarios,– from paramone, lat. mansio – “stay”, “finding”") - a church clerk, a lower servant ("deacon"), who initially performed the function of a guard of sacred places and monasteries (outside and inside the fence). P. is mentioned in the 2nd rule of the IV Ecumenical Council (451). IN Latin translation church rules- “mansionarius”, the gatekeeper in the temple. considers it his duty to light lamps during worship and calls him “the guardian of the church.” Perhaps in ancient times the Byzantine P. corresponded to the Western villicus (“manager”, “steward”) - the person who controlled the selection and use of church things during worship (our later sacristan or sacellarium). According to the “Teaching News” of the Slavic Service Book (calling P. “servant of the altar”), his duties are to “... bring prosphora, wine, water, incense and fire into the altar, light and extinguish candles, prepare and serve the censer to the priest and warmth, often and with reverence to clean and clean the entire altar, as well as the floors from all dirt and the walls and ceiling from dust and cobwebs” (Sluzhebnik. Part II. M., 1977. P. 544-545). In the Typikon, P. is called “paraecclesiarch” or “kandila igniter” (from kandela, lampas - “lamp”, “lamp”). The northern (left) doors of the iconostasis, leading to that part of the altar where the indicated sexton accessories are located and which are mainly used by P., are therefore called “sextons”. At present, in the Orthodox Church there is no special position of a priest: in monasteries, the duties of a priest mainly lie with novices and ordinary monks (who have not been ordained), and in parish practice they are distributed among readers, altar servers, watchmen and cleaners. Hence the expression “read like a sexton” and the name of the watchman’s room at the temple – “sexton”.

PRESBYTER

PRESBYTER (Greek) presbuteros“elder”, “elder”) - in liturgical. terminology – a representative of the lowest rank of the second degree of the Orthodox hierarchy (see table). Synonyms: priest, priest, priest (obsolete).

PRESBYTERMITY

PRESBYTERSM (priesthood, priesthood) - the general (tribal) name of representatives of the second degree of the Orthodox hierarchy (see table)

PRIT

PRECHT, or CHURCH PRECEPTION (glor. whine– “composition”, “assembly”, from Ch. lament- “to count”, “to join”) - in the narrow sense - a set of lower clergy, outside the three-degree hierarchy. In a broad sense, it is a collection of both clergy, or clergy (see clergy), and the clerks themselves, who together make up the staff of one Orthodox church. temple (church). The latter include the psalm-reader (reader), sexton, or sacristan, candle-bearer, and singers. In pre-rev. In Russia, the composition of the parish was determined by states approved by the consistory and the bishop, and depended on the size of the parish. For a parish with a population of up to 700 souls, men. gender was supposed to consist of a priest and a psalm-reader; for a parish with a large population - a P. of a priest, a deacon and a psalm-reader. P. populous and wealthy parishes could consist of several. priests, deacons and clergy. The bishop requested permission from the Synod to establish a new P. or change staff. P.'s income consisted of ch. arr. from the fee for completing the requirement. The village churches were provided with land (at least 33 tithes per village), some of them lived in the church. houses, that is. part with gray 19th century received a government salary. According to the church The 1988 statute defines the P. as consisting of a priest, a deacon, and a psalm-reader. The number of members of the P. changes at the request of the parish and in accordance with its needs, but cannot be less than 2 people. - priest and psalm-reader. The head of P. is the rector of the temple: priest or archpriest.

PRIEST – see Priest, Presbyter, Hierarchy, Clergy, Ordination

ORDINARY - see Ordination

ORDINARY

ORDINARY is the external form of the sacrament of the priesthood, its culminating moment is actually the act of laying on hands on a correctly chosen protege who is being elevated to the priesthood.

In ancient Greek language word cheirotonia means casting votes in people's assembly through a show of hands, i.e. elections. In modern Greek language (and church usage) we find two similar terms: cheirotonia, ordination - “ordination” and cheirothesia, hirothesia - “laying on of hands”. The Greek Euchologius calls each ordination (ordination) - from the reader to the bishop (see Hierarchy) - X. In the Russian Official and liturgical manuals, the Greek is used as left without translation. terms and their glory. equivalents, which are artificially different, although not completely strictly.

Ordination 1) of the bishop: ordination and X.; 2) presbyter (priest) and deacon: ordination and X.; 3) subdeacon: H., consecration and ordination; 4) reader and singer: dedication and consecration. In practice, they usually speak of the “consecration” of a bishop and the “ordination” of a priest and deacon, although both words have an identical meaning, going back to the same Greek. term.

T. arr., X. imparts the grace of the priesthood and is an elevation (“ordination”) to one of the three degrees of the priesthood; it is performed in the altar and at the same time the prayer “Divine grace...” is read. Chirotesia is not “ordination” in the proper sense, but only serves as a sign of admission of a person (clerk, - see) to perform some lower church service. Therefore, it is performed in the middle of the temple and without reading the prayer “Divine Grace...” An exception to this terminological differentiation is allowed only in relation to the subdeacon, which for the present time is an anachronism, a reminder of his place in the ancient church hierarchy.

In the ancient Byzantine handwritten Euchologies, the rite of the X. deaconess, which was once widespread in the Orthodox world, similar to the X. deacon (also before the Holy Altar and with the reading of the prayer “Divine grace...”) was preserved. Printed books no longer contain it. Euchologius J. Gohar gives this order not in the main text, but among the variant manuscripts, the so-called. variae lectiones (Goar J. Eucologion sive Rituale Graecorum. Ed. secunda. Venetiis, 1730. P. 218-222).

In addition to these terms for designating ordination to fundamentally different hierarchical degrees - the priestly and lower “clerical” ones, there are also others that indicate elevation to various “church ranks” (ranks, “positions”) within one degree of the priesthood. “The work of an archdeacon, ... abbot, ... archimandrite”; “Following the creation of a protopresbyter”; “Erection of archdeacon or protodeacon, protopresbyter or archpriest, abbot or archimandrite.”

Lit.: Henchman. Kyiv, 1904; Neselovsky A. The ranks of consecrations and consecrations. Kamenets-Podolsk, 1906; A guide to the study of the rules of worship of the Orthodox Church. M., 1995. S. 701-721; Vagaggini C. L» ordinazione delle diaconesse nella tradizione greca e bizantina // Orientalia Christiana Periodica. Roma, 1974. N 41; or T. under the articles Bishop, Hierarchy, Deacon, Priest, Priesthood.

APPLICATION

ENOCH

INOC - Old Russian. the name of a monk, otherwise - a monk. In zh. R. – monk, let’s lie. – nun (nun, monk).

The origin of the name is explained in two ways. 1. I. - “lonely” (as a translation of the Greek monos - “alone”, “lonely”; monachos - “hermit”, “monk”). “A monk will be called, for he alone speaks to God day and night” (“Pandects” Nikon Montenegrin, 36). 2. Another interpretation derives the name I. from the other way of life of someone who has accepted monasticism: he “otherwise must lead his life from worldly behavior” ( , priest Complete Church Slavonic dictionary. M., 1993, p. 223).

In modern Russian Orthodox church usage, a “monk” is not called a monk in the proper sense, but Rassophoran(Greek: “wearing a cassock”) novice - until he is tonsured into the “minor schema” (conditioned by the final acceptance of monastic vows and the naming of a new name). I. - like a “novice monk”; In addition to the cassock, he also receives a kamilavka. I. retains his worldly name and is free to stop completing his novitiate at any time and return to his former life, which, according to Orthodox laws, is no longer possible for a monk.

Monasticism (in the old meaning) - monasticism, blueberry. To monk - to lead a monastic life.

LAYMAN

LAYMAN - one who lives in the world, a secular (“worldly”) person who does not belong to the clergy or monasticism.

M. is a representative of the church people, taking a prayerful part in church services. At home, he can perform all the services given in the Book of Hours, Book of Prayer or other liturgical collection, omitting the priestly exclamations and prayers, as well as the deacon’s litanies (if they are contained in the liturgical text). In case of emergency (in the absence of a clergyman and in mortal danger), M. can perform the sacrament of baptism. In the first centuries of Christianity, the rights of the laity were incomparably superior to modern ones, extending to the election of not only the rector of the parish church, but even the diocesan bishop. In ancient and medieval Rus' M. were subject to the general princely judicial administration. institutions, in contrast to the people of the church, who were under the jurisdiction of the metropolitan and bishop.

Lit.: Afanasyev N. The ministry of the laity in the Church. M., 1995; Filatov S.“Anarchism” of the laity in Russian Orthodoxy: Traditions and prospects // Pages: Journal of Biblical Theology. in-ta ap. Andrey. M., 1999. N 4:1; Minney R. Participation of the laity in religious education in Russia // Ibid.; Laity in the Church: Materials of the international. theologian conference M., 1999.

SACRISTAN

Sacristan (Greek sacellarium, sakellarios):
1) head of the royal clothes, royal bodyguard; 2) in monasteries and cathedrals - the custodian of church utensils, the clergyman.

Bishop(from the Greek επίσκοπος - guardian) - the highest degree of hierarchy in, the third degree of priestly service, next after and.
The bishop is the successor who has the grace-filled power to perform all seven, who receives in the sacrament of ordination the grace of archpastorship—government of the Church. The episcopal degree of the sacred hierarchy of the Church is the highest degree on which all other degrees of the hierarchy (presbyter, deacon) and lower clergy depend. Consecration as a bishop occurs through (the Sacrament of the Priesthood, ordination). The bishop is elected from the religious clergy and ordained by the bishops. Bishops are also called bishops, that is, senior priests. The main government degrees of a bishop are patriarch, metropolitan, archbishop, and exarch.

1. History of the establishment of the rank

The name “bishop” is found in the Old Testament (), from where it was borrowed by the New Testament Church. Jesus Christ himself in Holy Scripture called a bishop, which means “guardian of our souls” (); He is also called a Bishop (). The apostolic rank is called bishopric (). From the apostles the title of bishop was successively transferred to their disciples.
The rite of election and consecration of a bishop is set out in detail in the ancient writings of the Church. Blessed Jerome says that “naming” a bishop precedes consecration. According to the rules of the holy apostles and the decrees of the First Ecumenical Council, the ordination of a bishop must be performed by two or more bishops. The Apostolic Constitutions indicate a prayer for consecration as a bishop. The writings say that consecration as a bishop is accomplished by placing the Gospel on the head of the kneeling person appointed. Those elevated to the rank of bishop were first tested in faith and piety and recited the Creed. At the dedication, the Gospel and the hands of the bishops present were placed on the head of the protege. , who lived in the 7th century, says the following about the consecration of a bishop: “There is an ancient apostolic tradition in the holy Churches throughout the universe, according to which those who are elevated to the level of clergy are obliged by the oldest clergy to openly state how they philosophize and how they maintain faith. This tradition originates from the wise Apostle Paul, who warns that none of these should run their course in vain” () (From the conciliar letter to Sergius, Patriarch of Constantinople).
Election and installation of bishops throughout historical existence The Church remains unchanged in its main points.
In the Russian Orthodox Church, an addition was made to the “Rite of Ordination of Bishops” under Patriarch Joachim. According to it, the vesting of the newly installed bishop in a cassock, mantle, hood, as well as the presentation of the rosary to him takes place after the blessing of the patriarch and with the overshadowing of his hand. This addition was included in the “Officer of the Episcopal Clergy”, published in 1677 in a revised form, from where it passed into the modern rite of episcopal consecration.

2. Scheme of the rite of consecration as a bishop.

Naming a candidate for bishop. "Blessed be our God." Troparion and Kontakion of Pentecost. A special litany. Vacation.
Decree on election Speech of the elected. Many years.
Test of faith of the newly elected. Blessing of the Patriarch. Reading the Creed.
Reading the dogma of faith about the Persons of the Triune God. Vows of observance of the canons of the holy apostles, seven Ecumenical Councils and nine local councils and the reigns of the holy fathers.
Transfer of the text of the promise to His Holiness the Patriarch.
Blessing of the protege.
Many years to the Patriarch, bishops and newly appointed.
Ordination as a bishop at the end of the singing of the Trisagion.
Kneeling by a protege before the Holy Throne.
The laying of the Gospel and the hands of the bishops on his head, the secret prayer “Kyrie, eleison” (Lord, have mercy).
Reading of two prayers by the Patriarch.
Reading of the litany by the first and second metropolitans.
Dressing in bishop's robes.
Greeting and kissing of the archpastors
Participation in the Divine Liturgy
“Peace to all” before the Apostle and after the Gospel the overshadowing of the people with candles.
Acceptance of the Holy Cup from the Protopresbyter at the Great Entrance.
Communion of presbyters and deacons at the end of the Liturgy.
Blessing of the bishop's cassock, panagia, mantle, hood and rosary from the Patriarch and the bishops participating in the consecration.
Presentation of the archpastoral staff.
Word from the primate to the newly installed bishop.
Presentation of the staff of the Archpastoral blessing of the people.

3. Ideological meaning ceremonies of ordination as a bishop

According to the interpretation of the saint, “ordination takes place after the first entrance, because this is what happened at the beginning: for when the Master became incarnate and suffered for us, rose again and ascended into heaven - which is all signified by the first entrance - after that the Holy Spirit descended, which ordained the Savior's successors and revealed them as co-thrones with Him. Therefore, now, when the bishop, together with the others, enters the sanctuary, as into heaven, and before they enter onto the co-throne, as into the heavenly throne, the one being ordained is brought and consecrated, thus becoming co-throne with them. This ordination takes place after the Trisagion Song, the song of the angels, the harmonious singing of those above and below.” The open Gospel, placed with the letters down, is an image of the hand of the Lord calling the initiate to preach the word of God.
In the first prayer, the Patriarch asks the Bishop and Lord “by the influx of grace of the Holy Spirit” to strengthen the dedicatee, as He strengthened the apostles, prophets and bishops and kept him “immaculate” and adorned him with all piety, revealed him to the saints, so that he could pray for the salvation of people and be heard Lord.
In the second prayer, he asks the Lord to create, ordained by an imitator, the True Shepherd, “who laid down his life for the sheep,” to become a guide for the blind, a teacher of the unwise, an admonisher of the rebellious and daring, a teacher of babes in true knowledge, a lamp in the world, rightly ruling the souls entrusted to him for salvation.” .
According to the saint's explanation