Who is an archpriest in the Orthodox Church. Correlation of ranks in the army and in the Orthodox Church

In order to get a more detailed understanding of who conducts services in the church or who speaks on television from the Russian Orthodox Church, it is necessary to know exactly what ranks there are in the Church and the Monastery, as well as their hierarchy. We recommend that you read

In the Orthodox world, Church ranks are divided into ranks of white clergy (Rits of the Church) and ranks of black clergy (Monastic ranks).

CHURCH OFFICERS OR WHITE CLERGY

Patriarch -
in some Orthodox churches - the title of the head of the local church. The Patriarch is elected by the local council. The title was established by the Fourth Ecumenical Council of 451 (Chalcedon, Asia Minor). In Rus', the patriarchate was established in 1589, abolished in 1721 and replaced by a collegial body - a synod, and restored in 1918. Currently, the following Orthodox patriarchates exist: Constantinople (Turkey), Alexandria (Egypt), Antioch (Syria), Jerusalem, Moscow, Georgian, Serbian, Romanian and Bulgarian.

Synod
(Greek special - assembly, cathedral) - currently - an advisory body under the patriarch, consisting of twelve bishops and bearing the title "Holy Synod". The Holy Synod includes six permanent members: Metropolitan of Krutitsky and Kolomna (Moscow region); Metropolitan of St. Petersburg and Novgorod; Metropolitan of Kyiv and All Ukraine; Metropolitan of Minsk and Slutsk, Patriarchal Exarch of Belarus; Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations; manager of the affairs of the Moscow Patriarchate and six non-permanent members, replaced every six months. From 1721 to 1918, the Synod was the highest body of church administrative power, replacing the patriarch (bearing the patriarchal title "Holiness") - it consisted of 79 bishops. Members of the Holy Synod were appointed by the emperor, and a representative of state power, the chief prosecutor of the Synod, took part in the meetings of the Synod.

Metropolitan
(Greek metropolitan) - originally a bishop, the head of a metropolis - a large ecclesiastical region uniting several dioceses. The bishops governing the dioceses were subordinate to the metropolitan. Because church and administrative divisions coincided with state divisions, metropolitan departments were located in the capitals of the countries that covered their metropolises. Subsequently, bishops who govern large dioceses began to be called metropolitans. Currently, in the Russian Orthodox Church, the title "metropolitan" is an honorary title, following the title "archbishop". A distinctive part of the Metropolitan's vestments is the white hood.

Archbishop
(Greek eldest among bishops) - initially a bishop, the head of a large church region, uniting several dioceses. BISHOPS Governing dioceses were subordinate to the archbishop. Subsequently, bishops who govern large dioceses began to be called archbishops. Currently, in the Russian Orthodox Church, the title "archbishop" is an honorary title, preceding the title "metropolitan".

Bishop
(Greek senior priest, chief of priests) - a clergyman belonging to the third, highest degree priesthood. Has the grace to perform all sacraments (including ordination) and lead church life. Each bishop (except for vicars) governs the diocese. In ancient times, bishops were divided according to the volume of administrative power into bishops, archbishops and metropolitans; currently these titles are retained as honorary titles. From among the bishops, the local council elects a patriarch (for life), who leads the church life of the local church (some local churches headed by metropolitans or archbishops). According to the teachings of the church, apostolic grace received from Jesus Christ is transmitted through ordination to bishops from the very apostolic times, etc. grace-filled succession takes place in the church. Ordination to a bishop is carried out by a council of bishops (there must be at least two ordaining bishops - 1st rule of the Holy Apostles; according to 60th rule of the Carthage Local Council of 318 - no less than three). According to the 12th rule of the Sixth Ecumenical Council(680-681 Constantinople) the bishop must be celibate; in current church practice it is customary to appoint bishops from the monastic clergy. It is customary to address a bishop: to a bishop “Your Eminence”, to an archbishop or metropolitan - “Your Eminence”; to the patriarch “Your Holiness” (to some eastern patriarchs - “Your Beatitude”). The informal address to a bishop is “Vladyko.”

Bishop
(Greek: overseer, overseer) - a clergyman of the third, highest degree of priesthood, otherwise a bishop. Initially, the word “bishop” meant the bishopric as such, regardless of the church-administrative position (in this sense it is used in the epistles of St. Apostle Paul), later, when the bishops began to differ into bishops, archbishops, metropolitans and patriarchs, the word “bishop " began to mean, as it were, the first category of the above and in its original sense was replaced by the word "bishop".

Archimandrite -
monastic rank. Currently given as the highest award to the monastic clergy; corresponds to archpriest and protopresbyter in the white clergy. The rank of archimandrite appeared in the Eastern Church in the 5th century. - this was the name given to the persons chosen by the bishop from among the abbots to supervise the monasteries of the diocese. Subsequently, the name “archimandrite” passed to the heads of the most important monasteries and then to monastics holding church administrative positions.

Hegumen -
monastic rank in holy orders, abbot of a monastery.

Archpriest -
senior priest in the white clergy. The title of archpriest is given as a reward.

Priest -
a clergyman belonging to the second, middle degree of priesthood. Has the grace to perform all the sacraments except the sacrament of ordination. Otherwise, a priest is called a priest or presbyter (Greek elder; this is what a priest is called in the epistles of the Apostle Paul). Ordination to the priesthood is carried out by the bishop through ordination. It is customary to address a priest: “Your blessing”; to a monastic priest (hieromonk) - “Your Reverence”, to an abbot or archimandrite - “Your Reverence”. The informal title is "father". Priest (Greek priest) - priest.

Hieromonk
(Greek: Priest-monk) - priest-monk.

Protodeacon -
senior deacon in the white clergy. The title of protodeacon is given as a reward.

Hierodeacon
(Greek: Deacon-monk) - deacon-monk.

Archdeacon -
senior deacon in the monastic clergy. The title of archdeacon is given as a reward.

Deacon
(Greek minister) - a clergyman belonging to the first, lowest degree of clergy. A deacon has the grace to directly participate in the performance of the sacraments by a priest or bishop, but cannot perform them independently (except for baptism, which can also be performed by laymen if necessary). During the service, the deacon prepares the sacred vessels, proclaims the litany, etc. Ordination to deacons is carried out by the bishop through ordination.

Clergy -
clergy. There is a distinction between white (non-monastic) and black (monastic) clergy.

Schimonakh -
a monk who has accepted the great schema, otherwise the great angelic image. When tonsured into the great schema, a monk takes a vow of renunciation of the world and everything worldly. The schemamonk-priest (schieromonk or hieroschemamonk) retains the right to officiate, the schema-abbot and schema-archimandrite must be removed from monastic authority, the schema-bishop must be removed from episcopal authority and has no right to perform the liturgy. The schemamonk's vestment is complemented by a kukul and analava. Schema-monasticism arose in the Middle East in the 5th century, when, in order to streamline hermitage, the imperial authorities ordered hermits to settle in monasteries. The hermits who adopted seclusion as a substitute for hermitage began to be called monks of the great schema. Subsequently, the seclusion ceased to be obligatory for schemamonks.

Clergy -
persons who have the grace to perform the sacraments (bishops and priests) or directly participate in their performance (deacons). Divided into three successive degrees: deacons, priests and bishops; supplied through ordination. Ordination is a divine service during which the sacrament of the priesthood is performed - ordination to the clergy. Otherwise, consecration (Greek: ordination). Ordination is performed as deacons (from subdeacons), priests (from deacons) and bishops (from priests). Accordingly, there are three rites of ordination. Deacons and priests can be ordained by one bishop; The ordination of a bishop is performed by a council of bishops (at least two bishops, see 1 Rule of the Holy Apostles).

Ordination
the deacons are performed at the liturgy after the Eucharistic canon. The initiate is led into the altar through the royal gates, is led around the throne three times while singing troparions, and then kneels on one knee in front of the throne. The bishop places the edge of the omophorion on the head of the dedicatee, places his hand on top and reads the secret prayer. After the prayer, the bishop removes the cross-shaped orarion from the initiate and places the orarion on him left shoulder with the exclamation "axios". The ordination to the priesthood is performed at the liturgy after the great entrance in a similar way - the ordained one kneels on both knees before the throne, another secret prayer is read, the ordained one puts on priestly vestments. Ordination as a bishop takes place at the liturgy after the singing of the Trisagion before the reading of the Apostle. The person being ordained is introduced into the altar through the royal doors, makes three bows before the throne and, kneeling on both knees, places his hands folded in a cross on the throne. The bishops performing the ordination hold the open Gospel over his head, the first of them reads the secret prayer. Then the litany is proclaimed, after which the Gospel is placed on the throne, and the newly ordained one is clothed with the exclamation “axios” in bishop’s vestments.

Monk
(Greek one) - a person who has dedicated himself to God through taking vows. Taking vows is accompanied by cutting one's hair as a sign of service to God. Monasticism is divided into three successive degrees in accordance with the vows taken: ryassophore monk (ryassophore) - a preparatory degree for accepting the lesser schema; monk of the minor schema - takes a vow of chastity, non-covetousness and obedience; monk of the great schema or angelic image (schemamonk) - takes a vow of renunciation of the world and everything worldly. One who is preparing to be tonsured as a monk and undergoing probation in a monastery is called a novice. Monasticism arose in the 3rd century. in Egypt and Palestine. Initially, these were hermits who retired to the desert. In the 4th century. Saint Pachomius the Great organized the first cenobitic monasteries, and then cenobitic monasticism spread throughout Christendom. The founders of Russian monasticism are considered to be the Monks Anthony and Theodosius of Pechersk, who created in the 11th century. Kiev-Pechersk Monastery.

Enoch
(from Slav. other - lonely, different) - the Russian name for a monk, a literal translation from Greek.

Subdeacon -
a clergyman who serves the bishop during the service: prepares the vestments, serves the dikiri and trikiri, opens the royal doors, etc. The subdeacon’s vestment is a surplice and a cross-shaped orarion. Ordination to subdeacon see ordination.

Sexton
(corrupted Greek “pristanik”) - a clergyman mentioned in the charter. Otherwise - an altar boy. In Byzantium, a temple watchman was called a sexton.

Tonsured -
1. An action performed at some services. Hair cutting existed in the ancient world as a symbol of slavery or service and with this meaning entered Christian worship: a) hair cutting is performed on a newly baptized person after baptism as a sign of service to Christ; b) hair cutting is performed during initiation of a newly ordained reader as a sign of service to the church. 2. Divine service performed upon acceptance of monasticism (see monk). According to the three degrees of monasticism, there are tonsure into the ryassophore, tonsure into the small schema and tonsure into the great schema. The tonsure of non-clergy (see clergy) is performed by a monastic priest (hieromonk, abbot or archimandrite), of clergy - by the bishop. The rite of tonsure into the cassock consists of a blessing, the beginning of the usual, troparions, priestly prayer, cruciform tonsure and vesting of the newly tonsured in a cassock and kamilavka. The tonsure into the minor schema takes place at the liturgy after entering with the Gospel. Before the liturgy, the person being tonsured is placed on the porch and... While singing the troparions, he is led into the temple and placed in front of the royal gates. The person performing tonsure asks about sincerity, voluntariness, etc. who has come and then tonsures and gives a new name, after which the newly tonsured person is dressed in a tunic, paraman, belt, cassock, mantle, hood, sandals and given a rosary. The tonsure into the Great Schema takes place more solemnly and takes longer; the tonsured person is dressed in the same clothes, except for the paraman and klobuk, which are replaced by the anolav and kukul. The rites of tonsure are contained in a large breviary.

Yu. Ruban

HIERARCHY(Greek ἱεραρχία - literally means “hierarchy”) is a term used in Christian theological terminology in a double meaning.

1) “Heavenly hierarchy” - totality heavenly powers, angels represented according to their traditional gradation as intermediaries between God and people.

2) “Church hierarchy,” which, according to Pseudo- (who first used this term), is 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 in a broad sense corresponds to the concept of the 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 the internal “ apostolic grace"And the external hierarchical authorities 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 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 he performs his cell (home) prayer rule and daily cycle services (the Hours) 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 church, 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.

The history of the development of the hierarchy in the ancient period of Christianity has not been fully elucidated; only the firm formation of the modern three degrees of the 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. The meaning of their 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 this case, elevation to another rank (rank) is simply a promotion 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, archbishops, metropolitans and patriarchs themselves). See Episcopate, Clergy, Hierarchy, Clergy.

DEACON

DEACON, DIACON (Greek. diakonos- “servant”, “minister”) - in ancient Christian communities - an assistant to the bishop heading 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 loud reading of Holy Scripture (“evangelization”), proclamation of litanies on behalf of those praying, and censing of the temple. 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). The official address to D., found in old literature, is “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 deacon”), historically the eldest (in the liturgical aspect) among several deacons serving together in a large temple (cathedral). It is distinguished by a “double orar” and a violet kamilavka (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 the 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. Appeal - 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 by representatives of only the most prominent metropolises (some later turned into patriarchates), as well as extraordinary commissioners Patriarchs of Constantinople, 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 Kyiv, 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. the 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 duties 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 religious 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

CLIR (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” (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 clergymen below the deacon (our clergy). In the Old Russian Church, the clergy is the totality 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; , priest Controversy over the Old Testament Priesthood and Essence priestly ministry at all. 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: vicar, exarch, vicar). In the Russian church tradition, only “M. patriarchal throne” - the 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”). They all lived before the Mosaic Law (cf. Old Testament) and therefore were the exclusive guardians 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. - 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 (Chalcedonian) Council of 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 watchman 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 a 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 actual culminating moment is the action of laying on of hands on a correctly chosen protege being elevated to the priesthood.

In ancient Greek language word cheirotonia means casting votes in the people's assembly by show of hands, i.e. elections. In modern Greek language (and church usage) we find two close 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; and lit. 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 “small 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 terminate his novitiate at any time and return to old 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. - representative church people taking part in prayer in a temple service. At home, he can perform all the services given in the Book of Hours, Prayer Book or other liturgical collection, omitting the priestly exclamations and prayers, as well as the deacon’s litanies (if they are contained in 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. Lay participation 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 - a guardian church utensils, cleric.

The hierarchical principle and structure must be observed in any organization, including the Russian Orthodox Church, which has its own church hierarchy. Surely every person who attends services or is otherwise involved in the activities of the church paid attention to the fact that each clergyman has a certain rank and status. This is expressed in different colors attire, type of headdress, presence or absence of jewelry, the right to perform certain sacred rites.

Hierarchy of clergy in the Russian Orthodox Church

The clergy of the Russian Orthodox Church can be divided into two large groups:

• white clergy (those who can marry and have children);
• black clergy (those who renounced worldly life and accepted monastic rank).

Ranks in the white clergy

Even the Old Testament scripture says that before the Nativity, the prophet Moses appointed people whose task was to become an intermediate link in God’s communication with people. In the modern church system, this function is performed by white priests. The lower representatives of the white clergy do not have holy orders; they include: altar boy, psalm-reader, subdeacon.

Altar boy- this is a person who helps the clergyman in conducting services. Such people are also called sextons. Staying in this rank is a mandatory step before receiving holy orders. The person performing the duties of an altar server is secular, that is, he has the right to leave the church if he changes his mind about connecting his life with serving the Lord.

His responsibilities include:

• Timely lighting of candles and lamps, monitoring their safe combustion;
• Preparation of priests' robes;
• Offer prosphora, Cahors and other attributes of religious rites in a timely manner;
• Light a fire in the censer;
• Bring a towel to your lips during communion;
• Maintaining internal order in church premises.

If necessary, the altar boy can ring bells and read prayers, but he is forbidden to touch the throne and be between the altar and the Royal Doors. The altar boy wears ordinary clothes, with a surplice on top.

Acolyte(otherwise known as a reader) is another representative of the white lower clergy. His main responsibility: reading prayers and words from holy scripture (as a rule, they know 5-6 main chapters from the Gospel), explaining to people the basic tenets of life true Christian. For special merits he may be ordained subdeacon. This procedure is carried out by a cleric of higher rank. The psalm-reader is allowed to wear a cassock and skufia.

Subdeacon- assistant to the priest in conducting services. His attire: surplice and orarion. When blessed by the bishop (he can also elevate the psalm-reader or altar server to the rank of subdeacon), the subdeacon receives the right to touch the throne, and also enter the altar through Royal Doors. His task is to wash the hands of the priest during services and give him the items necessary for the rituals, for example, ripids and trikirium.

Church ranks of the Orthodox Church

The above-mentioned church ministers do not have holy orders, and, therefore, are not clergy. These are ordinary people living in the world, but wanting to become closer to God and church culture. They are accepted into their positions with the blessing of clergy of higher rank.

Deaconate degree of clergy

Deacon- the lowest rank among all clergy with holy orders. His main task is to be the priest's assistant during worship; they are mainly engaged in reading the Gospel. Deacons do not have the right to conduct worship services independently. As a rule, they perform their service in parish churches. Gradually, this church rank is losing its significance, and their representation in the church is steadily declining. Deacon ordination (the procedure for elevation to church rank) is carried out by the bishop.

Protodeacon- chief deacon at a temple or church. In the last century, this rank was received by a deacon for special merits; currently, 20 years of service in a lower church rank are required. The protodeacon has a characteristic robe - an orarion with the words “Holy! Holy! Holy." As a rule, these are people with a beautiful voice (they perform psalms and sing at services).

Presbytery Degree of Ministers

Priest translated from Greek means “priest.” Minor title of the white clergy. The consecration is also carried out by the bishop (bishop). The duties of the priest include:

• Conducting sacraments, divine services and other religious ceremonies;
• Conducting communion;
• To carry the covenants of Orthodoxy to the masses.

The priest does not have the right to consecrate antimensions (plates of cloth made of silk or linen with a particle of relics sewn into it Orthodox martyr, located in the altar on the throne; a necessary attribute for conducting the full liturgy) and conducting the sacraments of ordination of the priesthood. Instead of a hood he wears a kamilavka.

Archpriest- a title awarded to representatives of the white clergy for special merits. The archpriest, as a rule, is the rector of the temple. His attire during services and church sacraments is an epitrachelion and chasuble. An archpriest awarded the right to wear a miter is called a miter.

Several archpriests can serve in one cathedral. Ordination to the archpriest is carried out by the bishop with the help of consecration - the laying on of hands with prayer. Unlike consecration, it is carried out in the center of the temple, outside the altar.

Protopresbyter- the highest rank for members of the white clergy. Awarded in exceptional cases as a reward for special services to the church and society.

The highest church ranks belong to the black clergy, that is, such dignitaries are prohibited from having a family. A representative of the white clergy can also take this path if he renounces worldly life, and his wife supports her husband and takes monastic vows.

Also, dignitaries who become widowers take this path, since they do not have the right to remarry.

The ranks of the black clergy

These are people who have taken monastic vows. They are prohibited from marrying and having children. They completely renounce worldly life, taking vows of chastity, obedience and non-covetousness (voluntary renunciation of wealth).

The lower ranks of the black clergy have many similarities with the corresponding ranks of the white clergy. The hierarchy and responsibilities can be compared using the following table:

Episcopal degree of clergy

Bishop belongs to the category of bishops. In the process of ordination they received the highest grace of God and therefore have the right to conduct any sacred actions, including conducting the ordination of deacons. All bishops have the same rights, the eldest of them is the archbishop (has the same functions as the bishop; elevation to rank is carried out by the patriarch). Only the bishop has the right to bless the service with an antimis.

Wears a red robe and a black hood. The following address to a bishop is accepted: “Vladyka” or “Your Eminence.”

He is the leader of the local church - diocese. Chief priest of the district. Elected Holy Synod by order of the patriarch. If necessary, a suffragan bishop is appointed to assist the diocesan bishop. Bishops bear a title that includes the name of the cathedral city. A candidate for bishop must be a representative of the black clergy and over 30 years of age.

Metropolitan- the highest title of a bishop. Reports directly to the patriarch. Has a characteristic attire: a blue robe and hood white with a cross made of precious stones.

The rank is given for high merits to society and the church; it is the oldest, if you start counting from the formation of Orthodox culture.

Performs the same functions as a bishop, differing from him in the advantage of honor. Before the restoration of the patriarchate in 1917, there were only three episcopal sees in Russia, with which the rank of metropolitan was usually associated: St. Petersburg, Kiev and Moscow. IN present moment There are more than 30 metropolitans in the Russian Orthodox Church.

Patriarch- the highest rank of the Orthodox Church, chief priest countries. Official representative of the Russian Orthodox Church. Patriarch is translated from Greek as “the power of the father.” He is elected to Bishops' Council, to whom the patriarch reports. This is a lifelong rank, deposition and excommunication of the person who received it, possible only in the most exceptional cases. When the place of the patriarch is not occupied (the period between the death of the previous patriarch and the election of a new one), his duties are temporarily performed by an appointed locum tenens.

Has primacy of honor among all bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church. Carries out the management of the church together with the Holy Synod. Contacts with representatives of the Catholic Church and high dignitaries of other faiths, as well as with government authorities. Issues decrees on the election and appointment of bishops, manages the institutions of the Synod. Receives complaints against bishops, giving them action, rewards clergy and laity with church awards.

A candidate for the patriarchal throne must be a bishop of the Russian Orthodox Church, have a higher theological education, be at least 40 years of age, and enjoy a good reputation and the trust of the church and people.

A priest in the Orthodox Church is not just a “priest”. 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 is gold, and the third is also decorated with beautiful stones. In addition, even a person who does not delve deeply 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 we're talking about, and how the listed clergy differ from each other. Therefore, I offer a short overview of the orders of Orthodox clergy, which will help you understand large quantities spiritual titles.

Priest in the Orthodox Church - black clergy

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

• Patriarch is the head of the Orthodox Church, the highest ecclesiastical rank. The Patriarch is elected at a local council. Distinctive feature His vestments are a white headdress (kukol), crowned with a cross, and a panagia (an image of the Virgin Mary decorated with precious stones).
• A metropolitan is the head of a large Orthodox ecclesiastical region (metropolitanate), which includes several dioceses. Currently, this is an honorary (as a rule, award) rank, immediately following the archbishop. The Metropolitan wears a white hood and panagia.
• An archbishop is an Orthodox clergyman who has been in charge of several dioceses. Currently a reward. The archbishop can be distinguished by his black hood, decorated with a cross, and a panagia.
• A bishop is the head of an Orthodox diocese. He differs from the archbishop in that there is no cross on his hood. 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. The ordination of bishops, according to church rule, is always carried out by several bishops (the council).
• An archimandrite is an Orthodox priest in the highest monastic rank, preceding that of a bishop. Previously, this rank was awarded to the abbots of large monasteries; now it is often of an award nature, and one monastery can have several archimandrites.
• Hegumen is a monk in the rank of an Orthodox priest. Previously, this title was considered quite high, and only abbots of monasteries had it. Today this is no longer important.
• Hieromonk is the lowest rank of monastic priest in the Orthodox Church. Archimandrites, abbots and hieromonks wear black vestments (cassock, cassock, mantle, black hood without a cross) and a pectoral (breast) cross. They can perform church sacraments, except for ordination to the priesthood.
• Archdeacon is the senior deacon in an Orthodox monastery.
• Hierodeacon - junior deacon. Archdeacons and hierodeacons differ in appearance 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 concelebrating with the priest during the service: proclaiming prayer requests, bringing out the Gospel, reading the Apostle, preparing sacred vessels, etc.
• Deacons, both monastics and those belonging to the white clergy, belong to the lowest level of the priesthood, Orthodox priests to the middle, and bishops to the highest.

Orthodox clergyman - white clergy

• An archpriest is the senior Orthodox priest in a church, usually the rector, but today in one parish, especially a large one, there may be several archpriests.
• Priest - junior Orthodox priest. White priests, like monastic priests, perform all sacraments except 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 Orthodox bishops only subject to acceptance of monastic orders (this often happens by mutual consent in old age or in the case of widowhood, if the priest has no children or they are already adults.