In the Orthodox Church, a priest of the highest rank. Church hierarchy

The emergence of Christianity is associated with the coming to earth of the son of God - Jesus Christ. He miraculously became incarnate from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, grew and matured as a man. At the age of 33, he went to preach in Palestine, called twelve disciples, performed miracles, denounced the Pharisees and Jewish high priests.

He was arrested, tried and shamefully executed by crucifixion. On the third day he rose again and appeared to his disciples. On the 50th day after the resurrection, he was ascended to God’s chambers to his Father.

Christian worldview and dogmas

The Christian Church was formed more than 2 thousand years ago. The exact time of its beginning is difficult to determine, since the events of its occurrence do not have documented official sources. Research on this issue is based on the books of the New Testament. According to these texts, the church arose after the descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles (Feast of Pentecost) and the beginning of their preaching of the word of God among people.

The emergence of the apostolic church

The apostles, after gaining the ability to understand and speak all languages, went around the world preaching a new teaching based on love. This teaching was based on the Jewish tradition of worshiping one God, the foundations of which are set out in the books of the prophet Moses (the Pentateuch of Moses) - the Torah. The new faith proposed the concept of the Trinity, which distinguished three hypostases in the one God:

The main difference between Christianity was the priority of God's love over the law, while the law itself was not abolished, but supplemented.

Development and dissemination of the doctrine

The preachers followed from village to village; after their departure, the emerging adherents united into communities and led the recommended way of life, ignoring the old foundations that contradict the new dogmas. Many officials of that time did not accept the emerging doctrine, which limited their influence and called into question many established positions. Persecution began, many followers of Christ were tortured and executed, but this only strengthened the spirit of Christians and expanded their ranks.

By the fourth century, communities had grown throughout the Mediterranean and even spread widely beyond its borders. The Emperor of Byzantium, Constantine, imbued with the depth of the new teaching and began to establish it within the boundaries of his empire. Three saints: Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian and John Chrysostom, enlightened by the Holy Spirit, developed and structurally presented the teaching, approving the order of services, the formulation of dogmas and the canonicity of sources. The hierarchical structure is strengthened, and several local Churches emerge.

The further development of Christianity occurs rapidly and over vast areas, but at the same time two traditions of worship and dogma arise. They each develop along their own path, and in 1054 a final split occurs between Catholics who professed the Western tradition and Orthodox supporters of the Eastern tradition. Mutual claims and accusations lead to the impossibility of mutual liturgical and spiritual communication. The Catholic Church considers the Pope to be its head. The Eastern Church includes several patriarchates formed at different times.

Orthodox communities with patriarchal status

At the head of every patriarchy is a patriarch. Patriarchates may include Autocephalous Churches, Exarchates, Metropolises and Dioceses. The table lists modern churches that profess Orthodoxy and have the status of patriarchy:

Constantinople, founded by the Apostle Andrew in 38. Since 451 it receives the status of Patriarchate.
Alexandria. It is believed that its founder was the Apostle Mark around the year 42; in 451, the ruling bishop received the title of patriarch.
Antioch. Founded in the 30s AD. e. the apostles Paul and Peter.
Jerusalem. Tradition claims that at first (in the 60s) it was headed by relatives of Joseph and Mary.
Russian. Formed in 988, an autocephalous metropolitanate since 1448, a patriarchate introduced in 1589.
Georgian Orthodox Church.
Serbian. Receives autocephaly in 1219
Romanian. Since 1885 it officially receives autocephaly.
Bulgarian. In 870 it achieved autonomy. But only in 1953 was it recognized by the patriarchy.
Cyprus. Founded in 47 by the apostles Paul and Barnabas. Receives autocephaly in 431.
Hellas. Autocephaly was achieved in 1850.
Polish and Albanian Orthodox Churches. Gained autonomy in 1921 and 1926, respectively.
Czechoslovakian. The baptism of the Czechs began in the 10th century, but only in 1951 did they receive autocephaly from the Moscow Patriarchate.
Orthodox Church in America. It was recognized in 1998 by the Church of Constantinople and is considered the last Orthodox Church to receive patriarchy.

The head of the Orthodox Church is Jesus Christ. It is governed by its primate, the patriarch, and consists of church members, people who profess the teachings of the church, have undergone the sacrament of baptism, and regularly participate in divine services and sacraments. All people who consider themselves members are represented by a hierarchy in Orthodox Church, the scheme of their division includes three communities - laity, clergy and clergy:

The laity are members of the church who attend services and take part in the sacraments performed by the clergy.
Clergymen are pious laymen who perform the obedience of clergy. They ensure the established functioning of church life. With their help, the cleaning, protection and decoration of churches (trudniks) is carried out, the external conditions for the order of divine services and sacraments are ensured (readers, sextons, altar servers, subdeacons), economic activity churches (treasurers, elders), as well as missionary and educational work(teachers, catechists and educators).
Priests or clerics are divided into white and black clergy and include all church orders: deacons, priesthood and bishops.

The white clergy includes clergy who have undergone the sacrament of ordination, but have not taken monastic vows. Among the lower ranks, there are such titles as deacon and protodeacon, who have received grace to perform the required actions and help conduct the service.

The next rank is presbyter, they have the right to perform most of the sacraments accepted in the church, their ranks in the Orthodox Church in ascending order: priest, archpriest and the highest - mitred archpriest. People call them priests, priests or priests; their duties include being rectors of churches, heading parishes and associations of parishes (deaneries).

The black clergy includes members of the church who have taken monastic vows that limit the freedom of the monk. The tonsure into the ryassophore, the mantle and the schema are consistently distinguished. Monks usually live in a monastery. At the same time, the monk is given a new name. A monk who has been ordained as a deacon is transferred to hierodeacon; he is deprived of the opportunity to perform almost all the sacraments of the church.

After priestly ordination (performed only by a bishop, just as in the case of the ordination of a priest), the monk is given the rank of hieromonk, the right to perform many sacraments, to head parishes and deaneries. The following ranks in monasticism are called abbot and archimandrite or holy archimandrite. Wearing them presupposes occupying the position of senior leader of the monastery brethren and the monastery's economy.

The next hierarchical community is called the episcopate, it is formed only from the black clergy. In addition to bishops, archbishops and metropolitans are distinguished by seniority. The ordination of a bishop is called consecration and is carried out by a college of bishops. It is from this community that the leaders of dioceses, metropolises, and exarchates are appointed. It is customary for people to address the leaders of dioceses as bishop or bishop.

These are the signs that distinguish church members from other citizens.

The hierarchy in the Orthodox Church has a large number titles (rank). A person who comes to church meets with clergy who occupy certain positions and are responsible, as true servants of the Most High, for the flock.

Church hierarchy in Orthodoxy

Orthodox ranks

God the Father divided his own people into three types, depending on their proximity to His Kingdom.

The first category includes laymen- ordinary members of the Orthodox brotherhood who have not put on ordination. These people make up the bulk of all believers and take part in prayer services. The Church allows the laity to conduct rituals in their homes. In the first centuries of Christianity, people had much more rights than they do today. The voices of the laity had power in the election of rectors and bishops.
Clergymen- a lower rank who dedicated himself to God and put on the appropriate clothes. To receive initiation, these people undergo the rite of hirothesia (ordination) with the blessing of the bishop. This includes readers, sextons (sacristans), and singers.
Clergy- the level where the highest clerics stand, forming the divinely established hierarchy. To receive this rank, one must undergo the sacrament of ordination, but only after spending some time in a lower rank. White robes are worn by the clergy, who are allowed to have a family, while black robes are worn by those who lead a monastic life. Only the latter are allowed to manage the church parish.

About the various ministers of the church:

At the first glance at the clergy, you understand that for convenience, in determining the rank, the clothing of priests and holy fathers differs: few wear beautiful multi-colored robes, others adhere to a strict and ascetic appearance.

Note! The church hierarchy is, as Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite says, a direct continuation of the “heavenly army,” which includes the archangels - the closest servants of God. The highest ranks, divided into three orders, through unquestioning service, transmit grace from the Father to each of his children, which we are.

Beginning of the hierarchy

The term “church account” is used both in a narrow and broad sense. In the first case, this phrase means a collection of clergy of the lowest rank, who do not fit into the three-degree system. When they speak in a broad sense, they mean clergy (clergy), whose association constitutes the staff of any church complex (temple, monastery).

Parish of the Orthodox Church

In pre-revolutionary Russia, they were approved by the consistory (an institution under the episcopate) and personally by the bishop. The number of lower-ranking clergy depended on the number of parishioners seeking communication with the Lord. The congregation of the large church consisted of a dozen deacons and clergy. To make changes in the composition of this state, the bishop was required to obtain permission from the Synod.

In past centuries, the income of the account consisted of payments for church services (clergy and prayers for the needs of the laity). Rural parishes, served by lower ranks, were provided with plots of land. Some readers, sextons and singers lived in special church houses, and in the 19th century they began to receive salaries.

For information! The history of the development of the church hierarchy has not been fully disclosed. Today they speak with confidence about three degrees of priesthood, while the early Christian titles (prophet, didaskal) have practically been forgotten.

The meaning and significance of the ranks reflected the activities that were authoritatively announced by the Church. Previously, the brethren and the affairs of the monastery were managed by the abbot (leader), who was distinguished only by his experience. Today, attainment of ecclesiastical rank is similar to an official reward received for a certain period of service.

About the life of the Church:

Sextons (sacristans) and clergy

When Christianity arose, they played the role of guardians of temples and sacred places. The duties of the gatekeepers included lighting the lamp during divine services. Gregory the Great called them “guardians of the church.” The sextons were in charge of the selection of utensils for the rituals; they brought in prosphora, blessed water, fire, wine, lit candles, cleaned the altars, and reverently washed the floors and walls.

Today, the position of sexton has been practically reduced to zero; ancient responsibilities are now assigned to the shoulders of cleaners, watchmen, novices and simple monks.

In the Old Testament the term "clergy" refers to the lower ranks and the common people. In ancient times, representatives of the tribe (tribe) of Levi became clerics. The people were called all those who were not distinguished by “true” birth.
In the book of the New Testament, the criterion of nation is omitted: now the lowest and highest rank can be received by any Christian who has confirmed compliance with certain canons of religion. Here the status of a woman who is allowed to obtain an auxiliary position is increased.
In ancient times, the people were divided into laymen and monks, who were distinguished by great asceticism in life.
In a narrow sense, clergy are clergymen standing on the same level as clerics. In modern Orthodox world this designation also extended to priests of the highest rank.

The first level of the hierarchy of clergy

In the first Christian communities, deacons were the bishop's assistants. Today they minister the word of God by reading scriptures and offering pleas on behalf of the congregation. Deacons, who always ask for a blessing for work, burn incense in the church building, and help perform the proskomedia (liturgy).

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

Naming without specification indicates that the minister belongs to the white clergy. The monastic order is called hierodeacons: their clothes do not differ, but outside of liturgies they wear a black cassock.
The eldest in the rank of diaconate is the protodeacon, who is distinguished by a double orarion (long narrow ribbon) and a purple kamilavka (headdress).
In ancient times, it was common to give the rank of deaconesses, whose task was to care for sick women, prepare for baptism and assist priests. The question of reviving such a tradition was considered in 1917, but there was no answer.

The subdeacon is the deacon's assistant. IN ancient times they were not allowed to take wives. Among the duties was the care of church vessels, the covers of the altar, which they also guarded.

For information! In the present, this rite is observed only in the services of the bishop, whom the subdeacons serve with all diligence. Students of theological academies often become candidates for rank.

Second level of the hierarchy of clergy

Presbyter (head, elder) is a general canonical term that unites middle-order ranks. He has the right to administer the sacraments of communion and baptism, but does not have the authority to place other priests in any place in the hierarchy or to bestow grace on those around him.

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

Under the apostles, elders were often called bishops - a term meaning “overseer”, “overseer”. If such a priest had wisdom and honorable age, he was called an elder. The book of Acts and Epistles says that the elders blessed the faithful and presided in the absence of the bishop, they taught, performed many sacraments and received confessions.

Important! The Russian Orthodox Church puts forward rules that say that today this church level is available only to monks with a theological education. Elders are required to have ideal morality and an age above 30 years.

This group includes archimandrites, hieromonks, abbots and archpriests.

The third level of the hierarchy of clergy

Before the Church Schism, which occurred in the middle of the 11th century, the two parts of Christianity were united. After the division into Orthodoxy and Catholicism, the foundations of the episcopate (the highest rank) were practically the same. Theologians say that the authorities of these two religious organizations recognize the power of God, not man. The right to rule is transferred only after the condescension of the Holy Spirit in the ritual of ordination (ordination).

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

A Christian theologian named Ignatius of Antioch, who was a disciple of Peter and John, reacted positively to the question of the need for one bishop in each city. Priests of the lower levels must unquestioningly obey the latter. Apostolic succession, which gives the right to ecclesiastical authority before the flock, was considered as a dogma in the doctrines of Orthodoxy and Catholicism.

Adherents of the latter support the unconditional authority of the Pope, which forms a strict hierarchy of bishops.

In Orthodoxy, power is given to the patriarchs of national church organizations. Here, in contrast to Catholicism, the doctrine of conciliarity of hierarchs has been officially adopted, where each chapter is likened to apostles, listening to the instructions of Jesus Christ and giving orders to the flock.

Bishops (archpastors), bishops, patriarchs have complete completeness of services and administration. This rank has the right to perform all the sacraments and ordain representatives of other degrees.

Clergymen who are in the same church group are equal “by grace” and act within the framework of the appropriate rules. The transition to another level occurs during the Liturgy, in the center of the temple. This suggests that the monk receives the symbolic vestment of impersonal holiness.

Important! The hierarchy in the Orthodox Church is built on certain criteria, where lower ranks are subordinate to higher ones. In accordance with their rank, laity, clerks, clergy and clergy have certain powers that they must fulfill with true faith and unquestioningness before the will of the Supreme Creator.

Orthodox alphabet. Church hierarchy

In Orthodoxy there are secular clergy(priests who did not take monastic vows) and black clergy(monasticism)

The ranks of the white clergy:

Altar boy- 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 of it in given value the more traditional term sexton is usually used, as well as novice. 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 boy is prohibited from touching the altar and its accessories, as well as from moving from one side of the altar to the other between the altar and the Royal Doors. The altar boy wears a surplice over secular clothing.

Reader (acolyte; earlier, before late XIX - sexton, lat. lecturer) - in Christianity - the lowest rank of clergy, not elevated to the degree of priesthood, reading texts during public worship Holy Scripture and prayers. 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 the Orthodox Church, readers are ordained by bishops through a special rite - hirothesia, otherwise called “ordaining”. This is the first initiation 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; colloquially (obsolete) subdeacon from Greek ??? - “under”, “below” + Greek. - minister) - a clergyman in the Orthodox Church, serving mainly with the bishop during his sacred ceremonies, wearing in front of him in the indicated cases the trikiri, dikiri and ripids, laying the eagle, washing his hands, vesting him and performing some other actions. In the modern Church, a 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; Old Greek - minister) - a person serving in church service at the first, lowest degree of 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- title white clergy, chief deacon in the diocese under cathedral. Title protodeacon complained in the form of a reward for special merits, as well as to the deacons of the court department. Protodeacon's insignia - protodeacon's orarion with the words " Holy, holy, holy“At present, 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- a term passed on from Greek language, where it originally meant “priest”, in 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 - “high priest”, from “first” + “priest”) - a title given to a person 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- 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 awarding 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 Greek - - sacred and - minister; Old Russian “black deacon”) - a monk in the rank of deacon. The senior hierodeacon is called the archdeacon.

Hieromonk- 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.

Abbot(Greek - “leading”, feminine) abbess) - abbot of an Orthodox monastery.

Archimandrite(from Greek - chief, senior+ Greek - corral, sheepfold, fence in meaning monastery) - one of the highest monastic ranks in the Orthodox Church (below the bishop), corresponds to the mitered (mitred) archpriest and protopresbyter in the white clergy.

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

Metropolitan- the first episcopal title in the Church in antiquity.

Patriarch(from Greek - “father” and - “domination, beginning, power”) - 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.

Church titles

Orthodox Church

The following hierarchy is observed:

Bishops:

1. Patriarchs, Archbishops, Metropolitans - Heads of Local Churches.

The Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople should be called Your Holiness. Other Eastern Patriarchs should be addressed either as Your Holiness or as Your Beatitude in the third person

2. Metropolitans who are a) heads of Autocephalous Churches, b) members of the Patriarchate. In the latter case, they are members of the Synod or head one or more archiepiscopal dioceses.

3. Archbishops (same as point 2).

Metropolitans and archbishops should be addressed with the words Your Eminence

4. Bishops – administrators of the diocese – 2 dioceses.

5. Bishops - vicars - one diocese.

To the bishops, Your Eminence, Your Grace and Your Lordship. If the Head of the Local Orthodox Church is a metropolitan and archbishop, then it is appropriate to address him, Your Beatitude.

Priests:

1. Archimandrites (usually head monasteries, then they are called abbots of the monastery or governors).

2. Archpriests (usually deans and rectors of churches in large cities in this rank), protopresbyter - rector of the Patriarchal Cathedral.

3. Abbots.

To the archimandrites, archpriests, abbots - Your Reverence

4. Hieromonks.

To the hieromonks, priests - Your Reverence.

1. Archdeacons.

2. Protodeacons.

3. Hierodeacons.

4. Deacons.

Deacons are named according to their rank.

Roman Catholic Church

The order of precedence is as follows:

1. Pope (Roman pontiff (lat. Pontifex Romanus), or supreme sovereign pontiff (Pontifex Maximus)). Simultaneously possesses three inseparable functions of power. Monarch and Sovereign of the Holy See, as the successor of St. Peter (the first Roman bishop) is the head of the Roman Catholic Church and its supreme hierarch, sovereign of the Vatican City State.

The Pope should be addressed as "Holy Father" or "Your Holiness" in the third person.

2. Legates - cardinals representing the Pope, who are entitled to royal honors;

3. Cardinals, equal in rank to princes of the blood; Cardinals are appointed by the Pope. They, like bishops, govern dioceses or hold positions in the Roman Curia. From the 11th century Cardinals elect the Pope.

The cardinal should be addressed as "Your Eminence" or "Your Lordship" in the third person

4. Patriarch. In Catholicism, the rank of patriarch is mainly held by the hierarchs who head the Eastern Catholic Churches with the status of patriarchy. In the West, the title is rarely used, with the exception of the heads of the Metropolises of Venice and Lisbon, who historically bear the title of patriarch, the Patriarch of Jerusalem of the Latin Rite, as well as the titular Patriarchs of the Eastern and Western Indies (the latter has been vacant since 1963).

Patriarchs - the heads of the Eastern Catholic Churches - are elected by the synod of bishops of a given Church. After the election, the Patriarch is immediately enthroned, after which he asks for communion (church communion) from the Pope (this is the only difference between the patriarch and the supreme archbishop, whose candidacy is approved by the Pope). In the hierarchy of the Catholic Church, the patriarchs of the Eastern Churches are equated to cardinal bishops.

During the official introduction, the Patriarch must be introduced as “His Beatitude, (Name and Surname) Patriarch (Location).” In person he should be addressed as "Your Beatitude" (except in Lisbon, where he is addressed as "His Eminence"), or on paper as "His Beatitude, the Most Reverend (Name and Surname) Patriarch of (Location)".

5. The Supreme Archbishop (lat. archiepiscopus maior) is the metropolitan who heads the Eastern Catholic Church with the status of the supreme archbishopric. The Supreme Archbishop, although he is of lower rank than the Patriarch of the Eastern Catholic Church, is in all respects equal to him in rights. The supreme archbishop elected by his Church is confirmed by the Pope. If the Pope does not approve the candidacy of the Supreme Archbishop, new elections are held.
The Supreme Archbishops are members of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches.

6. Archbishop - senior (commanding) bishop. In the Roman Catholic Church, archbishops are divided into:

Archbishops heading archdioceses that are not provincial centers;

Personal archbishops, to whom this title is assigned by the Pope personally;

Titular archbishops occupying the see of now-defunct ancient cities and serving in the Roman Curia or being nuncios.

Primates. In the Roman Catholic Church, a primate is an archbishop (less commonly a suffragan or bishop-exempt) who is awarded primacy over other bishops of an entire country or historical region (in political or cultural terms). This primacy under canon law does not confer any additional powers or authority in relation to other archbishops or bishops. The title is used in Catholic countries as an honorific. The title of primate can be given to the hierarch of one of the oldest metropolises in the country. Primates are often elevated to the rank of cardinal and are often given the presidency of the national conference of bishops. In this case, the main city of the diocese may no longer be as important as when it was created, or its borders may no longer correspond to national ones. Primates rank below the supreme archbishop and patriarch, and within the College of Cardinals do not enjoy seniority.

Metropolitans. In the Latin Rite of the Catholic Church, a metropolitan is the head of an ecclesiastical province consisting of dioceses and archdioceses. The metropolitan must be an archbishop, and the center of the metropolis must coincide with the center of the archdiocese. On the contrary, there are archbishops who are not metropolitans - these are suffragan archbishops, as well as titular archbishops. Suffragan bishops and archbishops head their dioceses, which are part of the metropolitanate. Each of them has direct and complete jurisdiction over his diocese, but the metropolitan may exercise limited supervision over it in accordance with canon law.
The metropolitan usually presides over any services in the metropolitan area in which he participates, and also consecrates new bishops. The Metropolitan is the first instance to which diocesan courts can appeal. The metropolitan has the right to appoint an administrator of the diocese in cases where, after the death of the ruling bishop, the church is not able to legally elect an administrator.

7. Bishop (Greek - “supervisor”, “supervisor”) - a person who has the third, highest degree of priesthood, otherwise a bishop. Episcopal consecration (ordination) must be performed by several bishops, at least two, except in special cases. As the high priest, the bishop can perform all sacred rites in his diocese: exclusively he has the right to ordain priests, deacons, and lower clergy, and to consecrate antimensions. The name of the bishop is exalted during divine services in all churches of his diocese.

Every priest has the right to perform divine services only with the blessing of his ruling bishop. All monasteries located on the territory of his diocese are also subordinate to the bishop. According to canon law, the bishop disposes of all church property independently or through proxies. In Catholicism, the bishop has the prerogative to perform not only the sacrament of the priesthood, but also anointing (confirmation).

Archbishops and bishops are addressed as “Your Excellency” or “Your Grace” in the second person. In some parts of Canada, especially in the West, the Archbishop is usually addressed as "His Eminence".

8. Priest - a minister of a religious cult. In the Catholic Church, priests are considered to be the second degree of priesthood. The priest has the right to perform five of the seven sacraments, with the exception of the sacrament of priesthood (ordination) and the sacrament of confirmation (which the priest has the right to perform only in exceptional circumstances). Priests are ordained by the bishop. The priests are divided into monastics (black clergy) and diocesan priests (white clergy). In the Latin Rite of the Catholic Church, celibacy is required for all priests.

During formal introductions, the religious priest must be introduced as "Reverend Father (Name) of (community name)." In person he should be addressed as "Father (Surname)", simply "Father", "padre" or "prete", and on paper as "Reverend Father (First Name Patronymic Last Name), (the initials of his community).

9. Deacon (Greek - “minister”) - a person serving in church service at the first, lowest degree of priesthood. Deacons assist priests and bishops in performing divine services, and independently perform some sacraments. The service of a deacon adorns the service, but is not obligatory - the priest can serve alone.

Among bishops, priests and deacons in the Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches, seniority is also determined depending on the date of their ordination.

10. Accolyte (Latin acolythus - accompanying, serving) - a layman performing a certain liturgical service. His duties include lighting and carrying candles, preparing bread and wine for the Eucharistic consecration, and a number of other liturgical functions.
To denote the service of an acolyte, as well as the state itself and the corresponding rank, the concept of acolyte is used.
11. Reader (Lecturer) - a person who reads the word of God during the liturgy. As a rule, lecturers are third-year seminarians or ordinary laymen appointed by the bishop.
12. Ministerate (Latin “ministrans” - “serving”) - a layman who serves the priest during Mass and other services.

ORGANIST
CHORISTS
MONSKS
FAITHFUL

Lutheran Church

1. Archbishop;

2. land bishop;

3. bishop;

4. kirchenpresident (church president);

5. general superintendent;

6. superintendent;

7. propst (dean);

8. pastor;

9. vicar (deputy, assistant pastor).

Your Eminence addresses the Archbishop (head of the Church). To the rest - Mister Bishop, etc.

Priest and Archpriest are titles Orthodox priests. They are assigned to the so-called white clergy - those clergy who do not take a vow of celibacy, create families and have children. What is the difference between a priest and an archpriest? There are differences between them, we will talk about them now.

What do the titles “priest” and “archpriest” mean?

Both words have Greek origin. "Priest" has long been used in Greece to designate a priest and in literal translation means "priest". And “archpriest” means “high priest.” The system of church titles began to take shape from the first centuries of Christianity, both in the Western, Catholic, Church, and in the Eastern, Orthodox Church, most of the terms for designating different ranks of the priesthood are Greek, since the religion originated in the east of the Roman Empire, and the first adherents were predominantly Greeks .

The difference between a priest and an archpriest is that the second term is used to name priests who are at a higher level of the church hierarchy. The title "archpriest" is awarded to a clergyman who already has the title of priest as a reward for services to the church. In different Orthodox churches, the conditions for conferring the title of archpriest are slightly different. In the Russian Orthodox Church, a priest can become an archpriest five years (not earlier) after he is awarded a pectoral cross (worn over his clothes). Or ten years after ordination (in this case, ordination to the rank of priest), but only after he is appointed to a leading church position.

Comparison

In Orthodoxy there are three degrees of priesthood. The first (lowest) is the deacon (deacon), the second is the priest (priest) and the third, highest, is the bishop (bishop or saint). Priest and archpriest, as is easy to understand, belong to the middle (second) step Orthodox hierarchy. In this they are similar, but what is the difference between them, except that the title “archpriest” is given as a reward?

Archpriests are usually rectors (that is, senior priests) of churches, parishes or monasteries. They are subordinate to the bishops, organizing and leading the church life of their parish. It is customary to address the priest as “Your Reverence” (on special occasions), as well as simply “Father” or by name - for example, “Father Sergius”. The address to the archpriest is “Your Reverence.” There used to be in the course of addressing: to the priest - “Your Blessing” and to the archpriest - “Your High Blessing”, but now they are practically out of use.

Table

The table presented to your attention shows the difference between a priest and an archpriest.

	Priest	Archpriest
What does it mean	Translated from Greek it means “priest”. Previously, this word was used to refer to priests, but in the modern church it serves to designate a priest of a certain rank.	Translated from Greek it means “high priest.” The title is a reward to the priest for many years of work and services to the church
Level of Church Responsibility	Conduct church services, can perform six of the seven sacraments (except for the sacrament of ordination - initiation into the clergy)	They conduct church services and can perform six of the seven sacraments (except for the sacrament of ordination - initiation into the clergy). Usually they are the rector of a temple or parish, and are directly subordinate to the bishop