The ranks of the Orthodox Church scheme. Church hierarchy in the Russian Orthodox Church

A priest in the Orthodox Church is not just a "father". An uninitiated person guesses that there are many degrees of priesthood in the church: it is not for nothing that one Orthodox priest wears a silver cross, another gold, and the third is also decorated with beautiful stones. In addition, even a person who does not really delve into the Russian church hierarchy knows from fiction that the clergy can be black (monastic) and white (married). But, when faced with such Orthodox Christians as archimandrite, priest, protodeacon, the vast majority of people do not understand what they are talking about at all, and how the listed clergymen differ from each other. Therefore, I offer a short overview of the orders of Orthodox clergy, which will help you understand a large number of spiritual titles.

The priest in the Orthodox Church is the black clergy

Let's start with the black clergy, since monastic Orthodox priests have many more titles than those who have chosen family life.

• The patriarch is the head of the Orthodox Church, the highest church rank. The patriarch is elected at the local council. A distinctive feature of his vestments is a white headdress (kukol), topped with a cross, and a panagia (the image of the Virgin adorned with precious stones).
• A metropolitan is the head of a large Orthodox church region (metropolis), which includes several dioceses. At present, this is an honorary (as a rule, award) rank, following immediately after the archbishop. The Metropolitan wears a white klobuk and panagia.
• An archbishop is an Orthodox clergyman who oversees several dioceses. It is currently an award. The archbishop can be distinguished by a black hood, decorated with a cross, and a panagia.
• A bishop is the head of an Orthodox diocese. It differs from the archbishop in that there is no cross on his klobuk. All patriarchs, metropolitans, archbishops and bishops can be called in one word - bishops. All of them can ordain Orthodox priests and deacons, consecrate, and perform all other sacraments of the Orthodox Church. Episcopal ordination, according to church rule, is always performed by several bishops (council).
• An archimandrite is an Orthodox priest in the highest monastic rank, preceding the hierarchal. Previously, this dignity was assigned to the abbots of large monasteries, now it often has a reward character, and there can be several archimandrites in one monastery.
• Hegumen is a monk in the rank of an Orthodox priest. Previously, this title was considered quite high, and only the abbots of the monasteries had it. Today it is no longer important.
• Hieromonk is the lowest rank of a monastic priest in the Orthodox Church. Archimandrites, abbots and hieromonks wear black vestments (cassock, cassock, mantle, black hood without a cross) and a pectoral (pectoral) cross. They may perform church sacraments, except for ordination to holy orders.
• An archdeacon is a senior deacon in an Orthodox monastery.
• A hierodeacon is a junior deacon. Arch- and hierodeacons outwardly differ from monastic priests in that they do not wear a pectoral cross. Their vestments during worship also differ. They cannot perform any church sacraments, their functions include co-serving the priest during the service: the proclamation of prayer petitions, the carrying out of the Gospel, the reading of the Apostle, the preparation of sacred vessels, etc.
• Deacons, both monastics and those belonging to the white clergy, belong to the lower level of the priesthood, Orthodox priests to the middle, and bishops to the highest.

Orthodox clergyman - white clergy

• The archpriest is the senior Orthodox priest in the church, as a rule, he is the rector, but today in one parish, especially a large one, there can be several archpriests.
• Priest - junior Orthodox priest. White priests, like monastic priests, perform all the sacraments, except for ordination. Archpriests and priests do not wear a mantle (this is part of the monastic vestment) and a hood, their headdress is a kamilavka.
• Protodeacon, deacon - respectively senior and junior deacons among the white clergy. Their functions fully correspond to the functions of monastic deacons. White clergy are not ordained as Orthodox bishops only on the condition of taking the monastic rank (this often happens by mutual agreement in old age or in the case of widowhood, if the priest has no children or they are already adults.

Russian Orthodox Church as part of the Universal Church, it has a three-level hierarchy that arose at the dawn of Christianity. The clergy are divided into deacons, presbyters and bishops. Persons on the first two levels may belong to both the monastic (black) and white (married) clergy. The institution of celibacy has existed in the Russian Orthodox Church since the 19th century.

in latin celibacy(celibatus) - unmarried (single) person; in classical Latin, the word caelebs meant "without a spouse" (both a virgin, and a divorcee, and a widower). In the late antique period, folk etymology connected it with caelum (sky), and so it came to be understood in medieval Christian writing, where it was used when talking about angels, embodying an analogy between virgin life and angelic life. According to the Gospel, in heaven they do not marry and do not get married ( Matt. 22, 30; OK. 20.35).

In practice, celibacy is rare. In this case, the clergyman remains celibate, but does not take monastic vows and does not take tonsure. Priests can marry only before taking the ordination. For the clergy of the Orthodox Church, monogamy is mandatory, divorces and remarriages are not allowed (including for widowers).
In a schematic form, the priestly hierarchy is presented in the table and in the figure below.

1. Diaconate

Deacon (from Greek - servant) does not have the right to independently perform divine services and church sacraments, he is an assistant priest and bishop. A deacon may be ordained protodeacon or archdeacon. Deacon Monk called hierodeacon.

San archdeacon is extremely rare. It is held by the deacon, who is constantly officiating His Holiness Patriarch, as well as deacons of some stavropegic monasteries. There are also subdeacons who are assistants to bishops, but are not among the clergy (they belong to the lower degrees of the clergy, along with readers and singers).

2. Priesthood.

Presbyter (from Greek - Senior) - a clergyman who has the right to perform church sacraments, with the exception of the sacrament of the Priesthood (ordination), that is, the elevation to the holy rank of another person. In the white clergy is priest, in monasticism - hieromonk. Priest can be elevated to the dignity archpriest and protopresbyter, hieromonk - to the dignity abbot and archimandrite.

Sanu archimandrite in the white clergy hierarchically correspond mitred archpriest and protopresbyter(senior priest in cathedral).

3. Episcopate.

Bishops also called bishops (from Greek prefixes archi- senior, chief). Bishops are diocesan and vicar. Diocesan Bishop, by succession of power from the holy Apostles, is the primate of the local Church - dioceses, canonically governing the diocese with the conciliar assistance of the clergy and laity. Diocesan Bishop elected Holy Synod. Bishops bear a title that usually includes the names of the two cathedral cities of the diocese. As needed, to assist the diocesan bishop, the Holy Synod appoints vicar bishops, whose title includes the name of only one of the major cities of the diocese. A bishop may be elevated to the rank archbishop or metropolitan. After the establishment of the Patriarchate in Russia, only bishops of certain ancient and large dioceses could be metropolitans and archbishops. Now the rank of metropolitan, just like the rank of archbishop, is only a reward for the bishop, which makes it possible for even titular metropolitans.
On the diocesan bishop has a wide range of responsibilities. He ordains and appoints clerics to their place of service, appoints employees of diocesan institutions, and blesses monastic tonsure. Without his consent, not a single decision of the diocesan administration can be carried out. In its activity bishop accountable His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia. The local ruling bishops are authorized representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church in front of state authorities and administration.

Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia.

The Primate Bishop of the Russian Orthodox Church is its Primate, bearing the title - His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia. The Patriarch is accountable to the Local and Bishops' Councils. His name is ascended at divine services in all churches of the Russian Orthodox Church according to the following formula: About the Great Lord and our Father (name), His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia ". A candidate for the Patriarchate must be a bishop of the Russian Orthodox Church, have a higher theological education, sufficient experience in diocesan administration, be distinguished by adherence to the canonical legal order, enjoy a good reputation and the trust of hierarchs, clergy and people, "have a good witness from outside" ( 1 Tim. 3.7), be at least 40 years of age. San Patriarch islifelong. The Patriarch is entrusted with a wide range of duties related to the care of the internal and external welfare of the Russian Orthodox Church. The patriarch and diocesan bishops have a stamp and a round seal with their name and title.
According to clause IV.9 of the Charter of the Russian Orthodox Church, the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia is the diocesan bishop of the Moscow diocese, consisting of the city of Moscow and the Moscow region. In the administration of this diocese, His Holiness the Patriarch is assisted by the Patriarchal Vicar as a diocesan bishop, with the title Metropolitan of Krutitsy and Kolomna. The territorial boundaries of the administration exercised by the Patriarchal Vicar are determined by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia (at present, the Metropolitan of Krutitsy and Kolomna manages churches and monasteries in the Moscow region, minus stavropegic ones). The Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia is also the Holy Archimandrite of the Holy Trinity St. Sergius Lavra, a number of other monasteries of special historical significance, and governs all church stauropegia ( word stauropegia derived from the Greek -cross and - hoist: the cross established by the Patriarch at the foundation of a temple or monastery in any diocese means their inclusion in the Patriarchal jurisdiction).
His Holiness the Patriarch, in accordance with secular ideas, is often called the head of the Church. However, according to Orthodox doctrine, the Head of the Church is our Lord Jesus Christ; The patriarch is the Primate of the Church, that is, the bishop who prayerfully stands before God for his entire flock. Often, the Patriarch is also called First Hierarch or High Hierarch, because he is the first in honor among other hierarchs equal to him by grace.
His Holiness the Patriarch is called the Hieroabbot of stavropegial monasteries (for example, Valaam). The ruling bishops in relation to their diocesan cloisters may also be called Holy Archimandrites and Holy Patrons.

Bishops' robes.

Bishops have a distinctive sign of their dignity mantle- a long, fastened at the neck, cape, reminiscent of a monastic mantle. In front, on its two front sides, above and below, tablets are sewn - rectangular plates of fabric. On the upper tablets are usually placed images of evangelists, crosses, seraphim; on the lower tablet on the right side - the letters: e, a, m or P meaning the rank of bishop - e piskop, a archbishop, m metropolitan, P patriarch; on the left is the first letter of his name. Only in the Russian Church does the Patriarch wear a mantle Green colour, Metropolitan - blue, archbishops, bishops - purple or dark red. In Great Lent, members of the episcopate of the Russian Orthodox Church wear a mantle black color.
The tradition of using colored hierarchal robes in Russia is quite ancient; the image of the first Russian Patriarch Job in a blue metropolitan robe has been preserved.
Archimandrites have a black robe with tablets, but without sacred images and letters denoting rank and name. The tablets of archimandric robes usually have a smooth red field surrounded by gold lace.

During worship, all bishops use a richly decorated staff, called a rod, which is a symbol of spiritual power over the flock. Only the Patriarch has the right to enter the temple altar with a rod. The rest of the bishops in front of the royal doors give the baton to the subdeacon-assistant, standing behind the service to the right of the royal doors.

Election of bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church.

According to the Charter of the Russian Orthodox Church, adopted by the Jubilee Bishops' Council in 2000, a man of the Orthodox confession at the age of at least 30 from monastics or unmarried persons of the white clergy with obligatory tonsure to monasticism can become a bishop.
The tradition of electing bishops from among the monastic ranks developed in Russia already in the pre-Mongolian period. This canonical norm has been preserved in the Russian Orthodox Church to this day, although in a number of Local Orthodox Churches, for example, in Georgia, monasticism is not considered a prerequisite for placing one in the hierarchal ministry. In the Church of Constantinople, on the contrary, a person who has accepted monasticism cannot become a bishop: there is a position according to which a person who has renounced the world and taken a vow of obedience cannot lead other people. All the hierarchs of the Church of Constantinople are not mantle, but cassock monks. Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church may also be widowed or divorced persons who have accepted monasticism. The elected candidate must correspond to the high rank of a bishop in moral qualities and have a theological education.

The prefix "sacred"

The prefix "sacred-" is sometimes added to the name of the rank of clergy (priest archimandrite, priest hegumen, priest deacon, priest monk). This prefix is ​​not attached to words denoting a spiritual rank and already being compound, that is, protodeacon, archpriest ...

The emergence of Christianity is associated with the coming to earth of the son of God - Jesus Christ. He miraculously incarnated from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, grew up 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 subjected to a shameful execution by crucifixion. On the third day he rose again and appeared to his disciples. On the 50th day after the resurrection, he was taken up to God's palaces to his Father.

Christian worldview and dogmas

The Christian church was formed over 2 thousand years ago. It is difficult to determine the exact time of its beginning, since the events of its occurrence have no documented official sources. The study of 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 (the feast of Pentecost) and the beginning of their preaching of the word of God among people.

The rise of the apostolic church

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

Development and dissemination of the doctrine

Preachers followed from village to village, after their departure, the adepts that arose united in 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 provisions. 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 widened beyond its borders. Byzantine Emperor Constantine was imbued with the depth of the new teaching and began to establish it within his empire. Three saints: Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian and John Chrysostom, enlightened by the Holy Spirit, developed and structured the doctrine, approving the order of worship, the formulation of dogmas and the canonicity of the sources. The hierarchical structure is being strengthened, several local Churches are emerging.

The further development of Christianity takes place rapidly and over vast areas, but at the same time two traditions of worship and dogmas arise. They develop each in their own way, and in 1054 there is a final split into 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 regards the Pope as its head. The Eastern Church includes several patriarchates formed at different times.

Orthodox communities with patriarchy status

Each patriarchy is headed by a patriarch. Patriarchates may include Autocephalous Churches, Exarchates, Metropolises and Dioceses. The table lists modern churches that profess Orthodoxy and have patriarchal status:

• Constantinople, formed by the Apostle Andrew in 38. From 451, it receives the status of Patriarchate.
• Alexandria. It is believed that the apostle Mark was its founder around the year 42, in 451 the ruling bishop received the title of patriarch.
• Antioch. Founded in the 30s AD. e. apostles Paul and Peter.
• Jerusalem. Tradition claims that at first (in the 60s) it was headed by relatives of Joseph and Mary.
• Russian. Founded in 988, an autocephalous metropolia since 1448, in 1589 a patriarchate was introduced.
• Georgian Orthodox Church.
• Serbian. Receives autocephaly in 1219.
• Romanian. Since 1885 officially receives autocephaly.
• Bulgarian. In 870, she achieved autonomy. But only in 1953 was it recognized as a patriarchy.
• Cypriot. It was founded in 47 by the apostles Paul and Barnabas. He received autocephaly in 431.
• Helladic. She achieved autocephaly 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. Recognized in 1998 by the Church of Constantinople, it is considered the last Orthodox Church to receive patriarchy.

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

• The laity are members of the church who attend services and take part in the sacraments performed by the clergy.
• The clergy are pious laymen who perform the obedience of the clergy. They ensure the approved functioning of the church life. With their help, the cleaning, protection and decoration of churches (workers), the provision of external conditions for the order of worship and the sacraments (readers, sextons, altar servers, subdeacons), the economic activities of the church (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 ranks: deacons, priesthood and bishops.

The white clergy include churchmen who have passed the sacrament of ordination, but have not taken monastic vows. Among the lower ranks, there are such titles as deacon and protodeacon, who received grace to perform the prescribed actions, helping to lead 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. Among the people they are called fathers, priests or priests, their duty is to be rectors of churches, head parishes and associations of parishes (deanery).

The black clergy include church members who have taken monastic vows that limit the freedom of a monk. Consistently, tonsure into the cassock, mantle, and schema are distinguished. Monks usually live in a monastery. At the same time, the monk is given a new name. A monk who has passed the deacon's ordination is transferred to the hierodeacon, he is deprived of the opportunity to perform almost all the sacraments of the church.

After priestly ordination (performed only by a bishop, 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 - hegumen and archimandrite or sacred archimandrite. Wearing them presupposes taking the position of senior leader of the monastic brethren and the economy of the monastery.

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

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

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As well as many different religions, there are different church ranks of the Orthodox Church. Everything must obey a certain order. Knowing the ranks will help not only to understand the hierarchy, but also to know how to properly address a particular clergyman.

Orders in Orthodoxy

The Orthodox Church is made up of the people of God. It is divided into 3 types:

• laity,
• clergy,
• clergy.

Laymen begin ranks in the Orthodox Church. This is the name of the ordinary people who are not called to the priesthood. It is from the laity that the Church chooses ministers for all the necessary steps. It is this part of the people that plays the most important role in the life of the church.

The clergy include a type of ministers who rarely stand out from the laity. They also play an important role in the life of the church. This type includes:

• watchman
• readers,
• choristers,
• altars,
• elders,
• workers,
• catechists and others.

This type of people may have certain insignia on their clothes or not at all.

The church ranks of the Orthodox Church are completed by the clergy in ascending order. They are usually called clergy or clergy. There is also a division into black and white:

• white is worn by married clergy,
• black - those who are monastics.

Only the black clergy, who have no family concerns, can manage the church. Clear also has a certain hierarchical degree. So, the ranks in the church are divided into 3 degrees in ascending order:

• diyakonov,
• priests,
• bishops.

The first 2 categories can include both monastics and married people. But in the third group there can only be those who have taken monastic vows. Relative to this order, all church titles are located, as well as positions among the Orthodox.

church hierarchy

The orders of holiness of the Orthodox Church originate from the Old Testament times. Deacons belong to the lowest level of the priesthood. This is considered the lowest rank, upon ordination to which grace is acquired, which is necessary for carrying out those actions during worship that are assigned to it.

This rank is forbidden to independently conduct rites, sacraments and services. His main role is to help the priest. A monk who has been elevated to the rank of deacon is called a hierodeacon. Those who have served in this rank for a long time and have proven themselves well receive a new rank: for whites - protodeacons, for blacks - archdeacons. The latter may serve under a bishop. If for one reason or another there is no deacon, then a priest or bishop can perform his functions.

The second stage of the priestly hierarchy includes other ranks that are ascending. A separate place is occupied here by priests, or as they are also called presbyters or priests, and in monasticism - hieromonks. This is already a degree higher than a deacon. They are able to perform most of the holy sacraments, except for ordination, as well as the consecration of the world and antimensions. They lead the religious life of rural and urban parishes, where they can hold the post of rectors.

They report directly to the bishop. After a long and impeccable service in the white clergy, he can be promoted to the rank of archpriest or protopresbyter, and in the black - hegumen. Among monasticism, an abbot may be appointed to the position of rector of a parish or an ordinary monastery. If they plan to appoint him to the post of rector of a monastery or a large monastery, then he should be introduced to the rank of archimandrite. It is this degree that forms the episcopate.

Next come the bishops. They are also called bishops, or rather the chiefs of the priests. They already have the right to perform all the sacraments without exception. They may also ordain deacons to the priesthood. The most meritorious bishops are called archbishops. Those in the capital are called metropolitans. If situations arise in which one bishop is appointed to assist another, then he should hold the title of vicar. They can stand at the head of regional parishes, which are called dioceses.

The highest rank in the Orthodox Church is the patriarch. This position is elective. He is appointed by the Council of Bishops and, together with the Holy Synod, leads the entire local church. This dignity is for life, but in certain cases the court of bishops can remove the patriarch and send him to rest. While the seat is vacant, a locum tenens may be elected, who will perform his functions until the legitimate election of the patriarch.

It must be remembered that there is still a certain group of people - the clergy. These are psalm-readers, subdeacons, sextons. They take their place without ordination, but with the blessing of an archpriest or bishop.

Knowing such subtleties, you will never again feel uncomfortable when addressing the clergy.

The Lord is always with you!

Priest and archpriest are the titles of Orthodox priests. They are assigned to the so-called white clergy - those clergymen 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 are of Greek origin. "Priest" has long been used in Greece to designate a priest and literally 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, 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 adepts were predominantly Greeks .

The difference between a priest and an archpriest is that the second term is used to name priests who are on a higher rung of the church hierarchy. The title "archpriest" is given 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 has been awarded a pectoral cross (worn over clothing). Or ten years after consecration (in this case, consecration to the priesthood), but only after he has been appointed to a leading church position.

Comparison

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

Archpriests are usually abbots (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 a priest as “Your Reverend” (on solemn occasions), as well as simply “Father” or by name - for example, “Father Sergius”. The appeal to the archpriest is “Your Reverend”. Previously, there were in the course of appeal: 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 indicates the difference between a priest and an archpriest.