Metropolitan, , Protopresbyter

Originally a Metropolitan (from metropolis) These are titles of honour given to non- was the of the capital of a province, monastic , and are generally equivalent while Archbishop was a more general title of to that of . honour given to of special eminence (e.g.. Bishops of long tenure). OLY RDERS H O The Church of Russia still generally uses these A Hieromonk is a who happens to be a titles in the original way, but the Greek . Churches (except Jerusalem) give the title Metropolitan to every and grant the title Archbishop to those who formerly would have been styled Metropolitans. A Hierodeacon is a monastic . Thus an Archbishop now ranks above a Metropolitan in the Greek Churches, but in the Slavic Churches tie rank of Metropolitan is pre- eminent. This is a title of honour given to monastic -usually those attached to a Bishop. Archimandrite Originally this title was given to a Monk supervising several or who was the This is a title of honour given to non-monastic of an especially important . Deacons - usually those attached to Now it is usually given as a title of honour for or to Bishops. distinguished Priestmonks.

Abbot ( or Igumen)

Originally a Priestmonk who was the Superior of a monastery was entitled (a practice strictly adhered to by the Greek Church), but in the Russian church, this is more often a title Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of honour given to Priest-. In the Russian of Australia and New Zealand Church, an Igumen ranks below an 2 Bampton Avenue Archimandrite. Illawong NSW 2234 ph: 02 9534 6939 www.antiochian.org.au

HOLY ORDERS The rite of to the episcopacy is Orthodox Priests and Deacons are divided into very solemn and the Bishop is ordained in the two distinct groups - the married (white or In the Orthodox Church there are to be found Sanctuary, in the midst of the Congregation parochial) and the monastic (or black) three "Major Orders" - Bishop, Priest and before the singing of the Trisagion (Holy God). clergy. The monastic clergy are by nature Deacon - and two "Minor Orders" - Thus the reading of the Holy Gospel is done unmarried, but one seeking to the and (although in ancient times there already with his blessing. ranks of the white clergy may now choose to were other "Minor Orders" which have now be celibate (unmarried) or married, but must fallen into disuse). The Holy Apostles appointed The Priest is ordained after the singing of the make the choice to ordination since, seven men (Church Tradition calls them Cherubic Hymn before the sanctification of the under Orthodox Law, one may not "Deacons") to perform a special serving Holy Gifts. The rite of ordination to the marry after ordination. ministry (Acts 6:2-6) and in his first Letter to Deaconate is less solemn and takes place the Corinthians, Paul speaks of various before the singing of the Lord's Prayer, when A celibate Priest or Deacon may not later ministries in the Church (1 Cor. 12:28). the sanctification of the Holy Gifts has already marry and a married Priest or Deacon whose Likewise, he addresses his Letter to the taken place, since the Deacon only assists at wife dies may not remarry. Also, one who has Philippians, To all the in Christ Jesus who the performance of the Sacraments and does been divorced may not be permitted to be are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons not perform them. At the conclusion of the ordained. Bishops are drawn exclusively from (Phil. 1:1). In his first Letter to Timothy, the Liturgy the Priest goes out to the people in the ranks of the monastic clergy, although a Holy Apostle also speaks of the qualifications of order to read the Prayer Before the Ambo and celibate or widower may be consecrated Bishops and Deacons (1Tim. 3:1-13), as well as the Deacon to say the final litany, these actions Bishop after having taken monastic vows. In in his Letter to Titus (1.5-9). being the first external signs of their ministry. ancient times married men were permitted to become Bishops (such was the case of Saint to the "Major Orders" always In all cases of ordination to the "Major Orders," Peter himself), but such has not been the case occur during the course of the , there is a laying-on of hands on the head of the since at least the 6th Century. whereas those to the "Minor Orders" usually one being ordained and the grace of the Holy take place during the Hours preceding the Spirit is invoked. Like ordination to the "Major ECCLESIASTICAL TITLES Liturgy. Only the Bishop has the power to Orders," ordination to the "Minor Orders" also ordain (although in cases of necessity an involves a laying-on of hands, but there is no Archimandrite or Archpriest, as representative invocation of the Holy Spirit in these of the Bishop, may be granted permission to ordinations. This is the title borne by the heads of certain ordain a Reader). Because of the collegial autocephalous (self-heading - i.e., independent) nature of the episcopacy, a college of Bishops Churches. At the present time the heads of the (at least two or three) are necessary to Churches of Constantinople, Alexandria ( consecrate another Bishop. And since any and Patriarch), Antioch, Jerusalem, Russia, ordination requires the consent of the whole Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania bear this title. The people of God, at a particular point in the heads of the other Churches are entitled Service the assembled congregation proclaims Archbishop (i.e., Greece, Albania, Cyprus) or Axios! (He is worthy!), showing their assent. Metropolitan (Poland, Czechoslovakia and the Orthodox Church in America (OCA)).