Church hierarchy in Orthodoxy structure. Hierarchy of the Russian Orthodox Church

The priesthood of the Russian Orthodox Church is divided into three degrees, established by the holy apostles: deacons, priests and bishops. The first two include both white (married) clergy and black (monastic) clergy. Only persons who have taken monastic vows are raised to the last, third degree. According to this order, all church titles and positions have been established for Orthodox Christians.

Church hierarchy that came from Old Testament times

The order in which the church titles of Orthodox Christians are divided into three different degrees dates back to Old Testament times. This happens due to religious continuity. It is known from the Holy Scriptures that about one and a half thousand years before the birth of Christ, the founder of Judaism, the prophet Moses, chose special people for worship - high priests, priests and Levites. It is with them that our modern church titles and positions are connected.

The first of the high priests was the brother of Moses - Aaron, and his sons became priests, who led all the services. But, in order to make numerous sacrifices, which were an integral part of religious rituals, helpers were needed. They were the Levites - the descendants of Levi, the son of the forefather Jacob. These three categories of priests of the Old Testament era became the basis on which all church titles are built today. Orthodox Church.

Lower order of the priesthood

Considering church titles in ascending order, we should begin with deacons. This is the lowest priestly rank, upon ordination to which God's Grace is acquired, which is necessary to fulfill the role that is assigned to them during worship. The deacon does not have the right to independently conduct church services and perform the sacraments, but is only obliged to help the priest. A monk who is ordained a deacon is called a hierodeacon.

Deacons who have served for a sufficiently long period of time and have proven themselves well receive the title of protodeacons (senior deacons) in the white clergy, and archdeacons in the black clergy. The privilege of the latter is the right to serve under the bishop.

It should be noted that all church services today are structured in such a way that, in the absence of deacons, they can be performed by priests or bishops without much difficulty. Therefore, the participation of a deacon in worship, although not obligatory, is rather an adornment than an integral part of it. As a result, in some parishes, where there are serious financial difficulties, this staff unit is reduced.

The second level of the priestly hierarchy

Considering further church ranks in ascending order, one should dwell on the priests. The holders of this rank are also called presbyters (in Greek "elder"), or priests, and in monasticism hieromonks. Compared to deacons, this is more high level priesthood. Accordingly, when one is ordained into it, a greater degree of Grace of the Holy Spirit is acquired.

Since the time of the Gospels, priests have led divine services and have been empowered to perform most of the holy sacraments, including everything except ordination, that is, ordination, as well as the consecration of antimensions and the world. In accordance with their official duties, priests lead religious life urban and rural parishes where they can hold the post of rector. The priest is directly subordinate to the bishop.

For long and impeccable service, the priest of the white clergy is encouraged by the rank of archpriest (chief priest) or protopresbyter, and the black clergy by the rank of abbot. Among the monastic clergy, the abbot, as a rule, is appointed to the position of rector of an ordinary monastery or parish. In the event that he is instructed to lead a large monastery or lavra, he is called an archimandrite, which is an even higher and honorary title. It is from the archimandrites that the episcopate is formed.

Bishops of the Orthodox Church

Further, listing church titles in ascending order, it is necessary to pay special attention to the highest group of hierarchs - bishops. They belong to the category of clergy called bishops, that is, the heads of priests. Having received the greatest degree of Grace of the Holy Spirit upon ordination, they have the right to perform all Church sacraments without exception. They are given the right not only to conduct any church services themselves, but also to ordain deacons to the priesthood.

According to the Church Charter, all bishops have an equal degree of priesthood, while the most meritorious of them are called archbishops. special group made up of metropolitan bishops, called metropolitans. This name came from Greek word"metropolis", which means "capital". In cases where another bishop is appointed to assist one bishop in any high office, he bears the title of vicar, that is, deputy. The bishop is placed at the head of the parishes of an entire region, in this case called a diocese.

Primate of the Orthodox Church

And finally, the highest rank church hierarchy is a patriarch. He is elected by the Council of Bishops and together with Holy Synod oversees the entire local church. According to the Charter adopted in 2000, the rank of patriarch is for life, however, in some cases, the bishops' court is given the right to judge him, depose him and decide on his retirement.

In cases where the patriarchal see is vacant, the Holy Synod elects a locum tenens from among its permanent members, who acts as patriarch until he is legally elected.

Clergymen who do not have the Grace of God

Having mentioned all the church ranks in ascending order and returning to the very base of the hierarchical ladder, it should be noted that in the church, in addition to clergy, that is, clergy who have passed the sacrament of ordination and were able to receive the Grace of the Holy Spirit, there is also a lower category - clergy. These include subdeacons, psalmists and sextons. Despite their church service, they are not priests and are accepted to vacant positions without ordination, but only with the blessing of the bishop or archpriest - the rector of the parish.

The duties of the psalmist include reading and singing during church services and when the priest fulfills the requirements. The sexton is entrusted with calling the parishioners by ringing the bells to the church at the beginning of the divine services, making sure that candles are lit in the church, if necessary, helping the psalmist and serving the censer to the priest or deacon.

The subdeacons also take part in divine services, but only together with the bishops. Their duties are to help the Vladyka get dressed before the beginning of the service and, if necessary, to change the vestments in the process. In addition, the subdeacon gives the bishop lamps - dikirion and trikirion - to bless those praying in the temple.

Legacy of the Holy Apostles

We examined all church ranks in ascending order. In Russia and among others Orthodox peoples these ranks bear the blessing of the holy apostles - disciples and followers of Jesus Christ. It was they who, having become the founders of the earthly Church, established existing order church hierarchy, taking as a model the example of the Old Testament times.

Priesthood - people chosen to serve the Eucharist and pastor - care, spiritual nourishment of believers. he first chose 12 apostles, and then 70 more, giving them the power to forgive sins, to perform the most important sacred rites (which became known as the Sacraments). The priest in the Sacraments acts not by his own power, but by the grace of the Holy Spirit, bestowed by the Lord after His Resurrection (John 20, 22-23) to the apostles, transmitted from them to the bishops, and from the bishops to the priests in the Sacrament of ordination (from the Greek. Heirotonia - consecration).

The very principle of the organization of the New Testament is hierarchical: just as Christ is the head of the Church, so the priest is the head of the Christian community. The priest for the flock is the image of Christ. Christ is a shepherd, He commanded the Apostle Peter: "...feed my sheep" (John 21:17). To feed the sheep means to continue the work of Christ on earth and bring people to salvation. The Orthodox Church teaches that there is no salvation outside the Church, and salvation can be achieved by loving and fulfilling the commandments of God and participating in the Sacraments of the Church, in which the Lord Himself is present, giving His help. And the assistant and mediator of God in all the Sacraments of the Church, according to the commandment of God, is the priest. And therefore his ministry is sacred.

The priest is a symbol of Christ

The most important Sacrament of the Church is the Eucharist. The priest celebrating the Eucharist symbolizes Christ. That is why the liturgy is impossible without a priest. Archpriest Sergiy Pravdolyubov, rector of the Church of the Life-Giving in Troitskoye-Golenishchevo (Moscow), master of theology, explains: “The priest, standing before the Throne, repeats the words of the Lord Himself at the Last Supper: “Take, eat, this is My Body ...” And in the Cherubim song he pronounces the following words: “You are the One Who Offers and the One Who Offers, and the One Who accepts this Sacrifice, and the One Who is distributed to all believers - Christ our God ...” The priest performs the ritual with his own hands, repeating everything that Christ Himself did. And he does not repeat these actions and does not reproduce, i.e., does not “imitate”, but, figuratively speaking, “pierces time” and is completely inexplicable for the usual picture of spatio-temporal connections - his actions coincide with the actions of the Lord Himself, and in his words - with the words of the Lord! That is why the liturgy is called Divine. She's served once by the Lord Himself in the time and space of the Upper Room of Zion, but outside time and space, in the abiding Divine Eternity. This is the paradox of the doctrine of the Priesthood and the Eucharist. Orthodox theologians insist on this, and this is how the Church believes.

A layman cannot in any way be replaced by a layman, not only “because of his human ignorance”, as it is written in ancient Slavic books, let a layman be an academician - no one gave him the power to do what he cannot dare to do without receiving the gift of the grace of the Holy Spirit through ordination, coming from the apostles themselves and the men of the apostles.

The Orthodox Church attaches exceptional importance to the holy dignity. The Monk Silouan of Athos wrote about the high dignity of the priesthood: “Priests bear in themselves such great grace that if people could see the glory of this grace, the whole world would be surprised at it, but the Lord hid it so that His servants would not become proud, but would be saved in humility.” ... A great person is a priest, a servant at the Throne of God. Whoever offends him offends the Holy Spirit who lives in him ... "

Priest - Witness in the Sacrament of Confession

Without a priest, the Sacrament of Confession is impossible. The priest is endowed by God with the right to pronounce forgiveness of sins in the name of God. The Lord Jesus Christ said to the apostles: “What you bind on earth will be bound on, and what you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven” (Matt. 18:18). This power to "bind and loose" passed, as the Church believes, from the apostles to their successors - bishops and priests. However, the confession itself is brought not to the priest, but to Christ, and the priest here is only a "witness", as it is said in the order of the Sacrament. Why do you need a witness when you can confess to God Himself? The Church, establishing confession before a priest, took into account the subjective factor: many are not ashamed of God, because they do not see Him, but confess to a person ashamed, but it is a saving shame that helps to overcome sin. In addition, as explains, “the priest is a spiritual mentor, helping to find the right path to overcome sin. He is called not only to become a witness of repentance, but also to help a person with spiritual advice, to support him (many come with great sorrows). No one demands submission from the laity - this is free communication based on trust in the priest, mutual creative process. Our task is to help you choose the right solution. I always encourage my parishioners to feel free to tell me that they failed to follow any of my advice. Perhaps I was mistaken, I did not appreciate the strength of this man.

Another ministry of the priest is preaching. To preach, to carry the Good News of salvation is also Christ, a direct continuation of his work, and therefore this service is also sacred.

The priest cannot exist without the people

In the Old Testament Church, the participation of the people in worship was reduced to passive presence. In the Christian Church, the priesthood is inextricably linked with the people of God, and one cannot exist without the other: just as a community cannot be a Church without a priest, so a priest cannot be such without a community. The priest is not the sole performer of the Sacraments: all the Sacraments are performed by him with the participation of the people, together with the people. It happens that a priest is forced to serve alone, without parishioners. And, although the rite of the liturgy does not provide similar situations and it is assumed that a meeting of people participates in the service, yet in this case the priest is not alone, because, as well as the deceased, along with him, offer a bloodless sacrifice.

Who can become a priest?

In ancient Israel, only people born to the tribe of Levi could become priests: for everyone else, the priesthood was inaccessible. The Levites were dedicated, chosen to serve God - they alone had the right to make sacrifices, offer prayers. The New Testament priesthood has a new meaning: the Old Testament sacrifices, as the apostle Paul says, could not deliver mankind from slavery to sin: “It is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins…” (Heb. 10:4-11). Therefore, Christ sacrificed Himself, becoming both the Priest and the Sacrifice. Not belonging by birth to the tribe of Levi, He became the only true “High Priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek” (Ps. 109:4). Melchizedek, who once met Abraham, brought bread and wine and blessed him (Heb. 7:3), was an Old Testament type of Christ. Having given His Body to death and shedding His Blood for people, having given this Body and this Blood to the faithful under the guise of bread and wine in the Sacrament of the Eucharist, creating His Church, which became the New Israel, Christ abolished the Old Testament Church with its sacrifices and the Levitical priesthood, removed the veil, separating the Holy of Holies from the people, destroyed the insurmountable wall between sacred Levitism and the profane people.

Priest of the Orthodox Church, explains Archpriest Sergiy Pravdolyubov, “any pious virtuous person who fulfills all the commandments and rules of the church, who has sufficient training, is married to the first and only girl of the Orthodox faith, is not disabled with a physical obstacle to use his hands and feet (otherwise he will not be able to perform the liturgy, take out the Chalice with the Saints Darami) and mentally sound.

The hierarchy of the Christian Church is called the "triple" because it consists of three main steps:
- diaconate,
- the priesthood
- Bishoprics.
And also, depending on the attitude to marriage and lifestyle, the clergy is divided into “white” - married, and “black” - monastic.

Members of the clergy, both "white" and "black", have their own structures of honorary titles, which are awarded for special services to the church or "long service".

Deacon(servant) is called so because the duty of a deacon is to serve at the Sacraments. Initially, the position of a deacon consisted in serving at a meal, in taking care of the maintenance of the poor and sick, and then they also served in the celebration of the Sacraments, in the administration of public worship, and in general were assistants to bishops and presbyters in their service.
Protodeacon- chief deacon in a diocese or cathedral. The title is given to deacons after 20 years of service in holy orders.
Hierodeacon- a monk with the rank of deacon.
Archdeacon- the eldest of the deacons in the monastic clergy, that is, the senior hierodeacon.

Priest(priest) by the authority of his bishops and on their “order” can perform all divine services and Sacraments, except for the Consecration (Priesthood - Ordination to the holy dignity), the consecration of the World (Fragrant oil) and the antimension (a quadrangular board made of silk or linen matter with sewn-in particles of relics where the Liturgy is celebrated).
Archpriest- senior priest, the title is given for special merits, is the rector of the temple.
Protopresbyter- the highest title, exclusively honorary, is given for special church merits on the initiative and decision of His Holiness the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia.
Hieromonk- a monk who has the rank of priest.
hegumen- the abbot of the monastery, in the women's rooms - the abbess.
Archimandrite- monastic rank, given as highest award monastic clergy.
Bishop(guardian, overseer) - not only celebrates the Sacraments, the Bishop also has the power to teach others through the laying on of hands the gift of grace to celebrate the Sacraments. The bishop is the successor of the apostles, having the grace-filled authority to administer all the seven sacraments of the Church, receiving in the Sacrament of Ordination the grace of archpastorship—the grace of administering the Church. The episcopal degree of the sacred hierarchy of the church is highest degree, on which all other degrees of the hierarchy (presbyter, deacon) and the lower clergy depend. Consecration to a bishop occurs through the Sacrament of Priesthood. The bishop is chosen from among the monastic clergy and ordained by the bishops.
An archbishop is a senior bishop overseeing several ecclesiastical areas (dioceses).
Metropolitan - the head of a large church area, uniting the dioceses (metropolis).
Patriarch (forefather, ancestor) - the highest title of the head of the Christian church in the country.
In addition to the sacred ranks in the church, there are also lower clerics (official positions) - altar servers, subdeacons and readers. They are among the clergy and are appointed to their position not through ordination, but by the blessing of a bishop or rector.

altar boy- the name of a layman helping the clergy at the altar. The term is not used in canonical and liturgical texts, but became generally accepted in this sense by the end of the 20th century. in many European dioceses in the Russian Orthodox Church. The name "altar" is not generally accepted. In the Siberian dioceses of the Russian Orthodox Church, it is not used; instead, in this sense, the more traditional term is usually used sexton, as well as novice. The sacrament of the priesthood is not performed over the altar boy, he only receives a blessing from the rector of the temple to serve at the altar. The duties of the altar boy include overseeing the timely and correct lighting of candles, lamps and other lamps in the altar and in front of the iconostasis, preparing the vestments of priests and deacons, bringing prosphora, wine, water, incense to the altar, kindling coal and preparing a censer, serving a fee for wiping the lips during Communion, assistance to the priest in the performance of the sacraments and rites, cleaning the altar, if necessary - reading during the service and performing the duties of a bell ringer. The altar boy is forbidden to touch the throne and its accessories, as well as to move from one side of the altar to the other between the throne and the Royal Doors. The altar boy wears a surplice over lay clothes.

subdeacon- a clergyman in the Orthodox Church, serving mainly under the bishop during his sacred rites, carrying in front of him on the indicated occasions the trikirion, dikirion and ripids, laying the eagle, washes his hands, vests and performs some other actions. In the modern Church, a subdeacon does not have a sacred degree, although he wears a surplice and has one of the accessories of the deacon's dignity - an orarion, which he puts on crosswise over both shoulders and symbolizes angelic wings. Being the most senior clergyman, the subdeacon is an intermediate link between clergymen and clergymen. Therefore, the subdeacon, with the blessing of the serving bishop, may touch the throne and the altar during the service and at certain moments enter the altar through the Royal Doors.

Reader- in Christianity - the lowest rank of clergy, not elevated to the degree of priesthood, reading the texts of Holy Scripture and prayers during public worship. In addition, by ancient tradition, readers not only read in Christian churches, but also interpreted the meaning of difficult-to-understand texts, translated them into the languages ​​of their locality, delivered sermons, taught converts and children, sang various hymns (chants), were engaged in charity, and had other church obediences. In the Orthodox Church, readers are consecrated by bishops through a special rite - chirotesia, otherwise called "ordaining." This is the first consecration of a layman, only after which can his consecration to the subdeacon, and then the ordination to the deacon, then to the priest and the highest - to the bishop (hierarch) follow. The reader has the right to wear a cassock, a belt and a skuf. During the tonsure, he is first put on a small felon, which is then removed, and a surplice is put on.
Monasticism has its own internal hierarchy, consisting of three degrees (belonging to them usually does not depend on belonging to one or another proper hierarchical degree): monasticism(ryassofor), monasticism(small schema, small angelic image) and schema(great schema, great angelic image). Most of today's monastics belong to the second degree - to actual monasticism, or the lesser schema. Only those monastics who have exactly this degree can receive ordination to the hierarchal rank. The particle “schema” is added to the title of the rank of monastics who have accepted the great schema (for example, “schiegumen” or “schematropolitan”). Belonging to one or another degree of monasticism implies a difference in the level of rigor of monastic life and is expressed through differences in monastic clothing. During monastic tonsure, three main vows are made - celibacy, obedience and non-possession (a promise to endure any sorrow and tightness of monastic life), and a new name is assigned as a sign of the beginning of a new life.

The hierarchy in the Orthodox Church has a large number of names (rank). A person who comes to church meets with clergymen who hold certain positions and are responsible, as true servants of the Almighty, for the flock.

Church hierarchy in Orthodoxy

Orthodox ranks

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

1. The first category includes lay people- Ordinary members of the Orthodox brotherhood who have not donned the clergy. These people make up the bulk of all believers and take part in prayer services. The church allows the laity to conduct ceremonies in their homes. In the early centuries of Christianity, the people had far more rights than they do today. The voices of the laity had power in the election of rectors and bishops.
2. clergymen- the lowest rank, consecrated to God and dressed in appropriate clothes. To receive initiation, these people undergo a rite of ordination (ordination) with the blessing of the bishop. This includes readers, sextons (deacons), singers.
3. clergymen- the stage where the highest clerics stand, forming a divinely established hierarchy. To receive this rank, one should go through the sacrament of ordination, but only after being in a lower rank for some time. White robes are worn by the clergy, who are allowed to have a family, in black - those who lead a monastic life. Only the latter are allowed to manage the parish.

About various ministers of the church:

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

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

Beginning of the hierarchy

The term "church reckoning" is used both in a narrow and a broad sense. In the first case, this phrase means a set of clergymen of the lowest rank, which does not fit into the three-degree system. When they speak in a broad sense, they mean clergy (clerks), whose union makes up the staff of any church complex (temple, monastery).

Parish of the Orthodox Church

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

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

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

The meaning and significance of the ranks reflected the activities that the Church authoritatively announced. Previously, the brethren and the affairs of the monastery were managed by the hegumen (leader), who differed only in his experience. Today, gaining church rank is like an official award received for a certain period of service.

About the life of the Church:

Sextons (deacons) and clergy

When Christianity arose, they played the role of watchmen of temples and sacred places. The duties of the gatekeepers included lighting the lamp during worship. Gregory the Great called them "guardians of the church". Sextons controlled the choice of utensils for rituals, they brought in prosphora, blessed water, fire, wine, lit candles, cleaned the altars, reverently washed the floors and walls.

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

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

The first level of the hierarchy of clergy

In the early Christian communities, the bishop's assistants were called deacons. Today, they serve the word of God by reading the scriptures and speaking out on behalf of the congregation. The deacons, who always ask for a blessing for work, cense the church premises and help to celebrate the proskomidia (liturgy).

A deacon assists a bishop or priest in the celebration of divine services and sacraments

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

A subdeacon is an assistant to a deacon. AT ancient time they were not allowed to take wives. Among the duties was the care of church vessels, the covers of the altar, which they also guarded.

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

The second level of the hierarchy of clergy

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

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

Under the apostles, presbyters were often referred to as bishops - a term denoting "guardian", "overseer". If such a priest possessed wisdom and an honorable age, he was called an elder. The book of Acts and Epistles says that the elders blessed the faithful and presided in the absence of the bishop, they gave instruction, performed many sacraments and received confessions.

Important! The ROC puts forward rules that say that today this church level is available only to monks with a theological education. Presbyters are required to have perfect morals and be over 30 years of age.

This group includes archimandrites, hieromonks, abbots and archpriests.

The third level of the hierarchy of clergy

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

Only a monk can become a bishop in the modern Russian tradition

A Christian theologian named Ignatius of Antioch, who was a disciple of Peter and John, was positive about the need for one bishop per city. The priests of the lower levels must unquestioningly obey the latter. Apostolic succession, which gives the right to ecclesiastical authority over the flock, was regarded as a dogma in the doctrines of Orthodoxy and Catholicism.

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

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

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

Clergymen who are in the same church group are equal "by grace" and act within the framework of the corresponding rules. The transition to another step takes place during the Liturgy, in the center of the temple. This suggests that the monk receives a symbolic vestment of impersonal holiness.

Important! The hierarchy in the Orthodox Church is built on certain criteria, where lower ranks obey the higher. In accordance with the rank, the laity, clerks, clergymen and clergymen have certain powers, which they must fulfill with true faith and unquestioningly before the will of the Supreme Creator.

Orthodox alphabet. Church hierarchy

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 stavropegial 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, the title of which includes the naming of only one of major cities 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 the 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 governs the churches and monasteries of the Moscow region, minus the stavropegic ones). The Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia is also the Holy Archimandrite of the Holy Trinity Sergius Lavra, a number of other monasteries with a special historical meaning, 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 hallmark have their dignity mantle- a long, fastened at the neck, cape, reminiscent of a monastic mantle. Ahead, on two of her front sides, top and bottom, tablets are sewn - rectangular boards made 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. AT Great Lent members of the episcopate of the Russian Orthodox Church wear a robe 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 Council of Bishops in 2000, a man of the Orthodox confession at least 30 years old from monastic or unmarried white clergy can become a bishop with obligatory monastic tonsure.
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 the Georgian Church, monasticism is not considered a prerequisite for placing on a bishopric. In the Church of Constantinople, on the contrary, a person who has accepted monasticism cannot become a bishop: there is a provision 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 candidate to be elected must meet high rank bishop by moral qualities and have a theological background.