What is the church hierarchy?It is an orderly system that determines the place of each church minister, his duties. The system of hierarchy in the church is very complex, and it originated in 1504 after the event, which became known as the "Great Church Split." After it, the Orthodox churches were given the opportunity to develop autonomously, independently.
First of all, the church hierarchy allocates white andblack monasticism. Representatives of the black clergy are called upon to lead the most ascetic life. They can not marry, they can not live in peace. Such ranks are doomed to lead either a wandering, or an isolated way of life.
White clergy can lead a more privileged life.
The hierarchy of the ROC implies that (in accordance withCode of Honor), the head of the Russian Orthodox Church is the Patriarch of Constantinople, bearing the official, symbolic title of Patriarch of the Ecumenical.
However, formally the Russian church did notobeys. Church hierarchy is the head of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia. He occupies the highest level, but power and government exercises in unity with the Holy Synod. It includes 9 people who are selected on different bases. By tradition, Metropolitan Krutitsky, Minsk, Kiev, St. Petersburg are its permanent members. The five remaining members of the Synod are invited, and their episcopate should not exceed six months. The permanent member of the Synod is the Chairman of the internal church department.
The next important step of the churchhierarchy refers to the higher ranks who govern the dioceses (territorial-administrative church districts). They bear the unifying name of the bishops. These include:
- Metropolitans;
- bishops;
- archimandrites.
Bishops are subordinated to priests whoare considered the main places in the city or in other parishes. From the nature of the activities, the duties that are assigned to them, the priests are divided into priests and archpriests. The person who is entrusted with the direct leadership of the parish, bears the title of Abbot.
He is already subordinated to junior clergy: deacons and priests, whose duties are to help the Rector, other, higher spiritual ranks.
Speaking of spiritual ranks, one should not forget,that hierarchies of churches (not to be confused with the church hierarchy!) are allowed several different interpretations of spiritual titles and, accordingly, give them other names. The hierarchy of churches implies the division of Eastern and Western rites into the Church, their smaller varieties (for example, the Post-Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Anglican, etc.)
All of the above titles refer to whitethe clergy. The black church hierarchy is characterized by stricter requirements for people who have accepted San. The highest level of black monasticism is the Great Scheme. It implies a complete alienation from the world. In Russian monasteries, great devotees live separately from everyone, do not engage in any obedience, but spend day and night in unceasing prayers. Sometimes those who accepted the Great Scheme become hermits and limit their lives to many optional vows.
Preceded by the Great Scheme Malaya.It also implies the fulfillment of a number of obligatory and optional vows, the most important of which are: virginity and non-covetousness. Their task is to prepare a monk for the adoption of the Great Scheme, to completely cleanse him of his sins.
Can take a small schema monks ryasofory. This is the lowest level of black monasticism, which is immediately followed by tonsure.
Before each hierarchical level, monks are given special rituals, they are changed in name and appointed to the Holy patrons. When the title is changed, vows are toughened, clothing changes.
