Ranks in the Orthodox Church in ascending order: their hierarchy. White monk Black monasticism
TO white clergy include married clergy who did not give monastic vows. They are allowed to have a family and children.
When they talk about the black clergy, they mean monks ordained to the priesthood. They devote their entire lives to serving the Lord and take three monastic vows - chastity, obedience and non-covetousness (voluntary poverty).
A person who is going to take holy orders is required to make a choice even before ordination - to marry or become a monk. After ordination, a priest can no longer marry. Priests who did not marry before being ordained sometimes choose celibacy instead of becoming a monk—they take a vow of celibacy.
Church hierarchy
In Orthodoxy there are three degrees of priesthood. At the first level are deacons. They help conduct services and rituals in churches, but they themselves cannot conduct services or perform sacraments. Church ministers belonging to the white clergy are simply called deacons, and monks ordained to this rank are called hierodeacons.
Among the deacons, the most worthy can receive the rank of protodeacon, and among the hierodeacons, the eldest are archdeacons. A special place in this hierarchy is occupied by the patriarchal archdeacon, who serves under the patriarch. He belongs to the white clergy, and not to the black clergy, like other archdeacons.
The second degree of priesthood is priests. They can independently conduct services, as well as perform most of the sacraments, except for the sacrament of ordination to the priesthood. If a priest belongs to the white clergy, he is called a priest or presbyter, and if he belongs to the black clergy, he is called a hieromonk.
A priest can be elevated to the rank of archpriest, that is, senior priest, and a hieromonk - to the rank of abbot. Often archpriests are the abbots of churches, and abbots are the abbots of monasteries.
The highest priestly rank for the white clergy, the title of protopresbyter, is awarded to priests for special merits. This rank corresponds to the rank of archimandrite in the black clergy.
Priests belonging to the third and highest degree of priesthood are called bishops. They have the right to perform all sacraments, including the sacrament of ordination of other priests. Bishops govern church life and lead dioceses. They are divided into bishops, archbishops, and metropolitans.
Only a clergyman belonging to the black clergy can become a bishop. A priest who has been married can be elevated to the rank of bishop only if he becomes a monk. He can do this if his wife has died or has also become a nun in another diocese.
The local church is headed by the patriarch. Head of the Russian Orthodox Church is Patriarch Kirill. In addition to the Moscow Patriarchate, there are other Orthodox patriarchates in the world - Constantinople, Alexandrian, Antiochian, Jerusalem, Georgian, Serbian, Romanian And Bulgarian.
What is "white monasticism"? Who is this “white monk”? and got the best answer
Answer from Gill Smith Muslim[guru]
White monasticism, in contrast to black, is monasticism in the world.
Lay monasticism is accepted by some Protestants.
Answer from Evecha in the darkness[guru]
Priests living in the world. By the way, the CLERGY, not monasticism
Answer from Iafaella[guru]
White monasticism are priests who have not taken monastic vows, meaning they can marry and have a family, unlike the black clergy, which consists of monks who have taken vows of complete renunciation of the world.
Answer from Dmitriy[guru]
Not monasticism, but the white clergy. This is an ordinary priest, or married, or celibate.
Answer from Naive[expert]
They talk about white and black clergy. Otherwise, I agree with the first answer.
Answer from Grigory Spichak[guru]
There is no white monasticism... There are white and black clergy. Black - monks, white - having a family and the opportunity to get married...
Answer from User deleted[guru]
sevastopol.net.ua/secrets/ghoust.html
One of the very famous Sevastopol ghosts is the “white monk”, who lives on the territory of the current Chersonesos museum-reserve, where the Chersonesos Vladimir Monastery was located in the 19th – early 20th centuries. There is a lot of talk about it, but there are very, very few concrete facts. The “white monk” appears exclusively at night and mostly in the area of the famous Chersonese fog bell and the old monastery baths. He was nicknamed “White” because of his clothes, although it would have been more decent for a monk to wear black. But ghosts have their own preferences. The “White Monk” often frightens lovers and night swimmers, but in general it is quite peaceful. Although one moment associated with it is still somewhat alarming. The fact is that the section of the rocky beach adjacent to the former monastery bathhouse is notorious among local residents. Not a year goes by without someone drowning there, and this despite the shallow waters! But whether the “white monk” walking along the shore is to blame for this is unknown.
Answer from 2 answers[guru]
Hello! Here is a selection of topics with answers to your question: What is “white monasticism”? Who is this “white monk”?
The Orthodox clergy is a special class that appeared in Rus' in 988, after the Baptism of Rus'. History is silent about how the situation with the clergy was before this period, but it is known that the priest Gregory traveled with Princess Olga to Constantinople. At a time when the clergy was entrusted with a special and very important mission - the Christianization of the population, priests were considered a special and privileged class. Many came from Greece and Bulgaria; even children from different classes were selected for education as the future clergy. The monks enjoyed special honor and respect, and the ascetic culture turned out to be especially close to the people. Rich and noble people of that time went to the monastery. In addition, monasteries have always carried out charitable work. The princes favored the monasteries and freed them from taxes. No exact information has been preserved about who became the first Metropolitan of Kyiv. Since the 16th century, it was believed that he was Michael I the Syrian, who was once sent to perform the Sacrament of Baptism over Prince Vladimir. In Kyiv, he baptized local residents. The relics of Metropolitan Michael were kept in the Church of the Tithes, but then they were transferred to the Great Church of the Lavra.
Hierarchy of the white clergy
It is worth noting that the hierarchy of the clergy did not appear since the advent of the Church. At the dawn of Christianity, everyone was equal. Gradually, the need to distinguish between church titles and ranks became obvious. In the Russian Orthodox Church you cannot immediately “come to the position” of Metropolitan or Bishop. Such titles must be earned. We will tell you more about the role each clergy rank plays in the life of the Church in this article.
At the head of the Russian Orthodox Church is the Primate - the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'. Together with the Holy Synod, it administers church affairs.
The Metropolitan is immediately responsible for several dioceses. Bishops do not make important decisions without the knowledge of the Metropolitan.
Each diocese has its own Bishop responsible for the area assigned to him. Absolutely all bishops belong to the black clergy. Bishops are responsible for large dioceses.
There are also deacons and protodeacons who assist the priest and archpriest during services. A deacon cannot conduct divine services on his own.
Thus, the hierarchy in the white clergy looks like this:
- Patriarch
- Metropolitan
- Bishop/Bishop
- Priest/Archpriest
- Deacon/protodeacon
Clergy white and black
The Russian Orthodox Church traditionally divides the clergy into two categories: white and black. The first category includes those priests who did not take the monastic vow, the second includes those who took it. Taking the vow occurs at the time of becoming a monk. Before taking holy orders, a person must decide who he wants to be: a priest (they are allowed to have a wife) or a monk. Once ordination is completed, marriage becomes impossible for the priest. In addition, there is a vow of celibacy. It means complete celibacy. Religion allows priests and deacons to have a spouse, but the hierarch must be a monk.
In Orthodoxy there are three hierarchical ranks:
- diaconate;
- priesthood;
- bishopric.
During services, priests are assisted by deacons. However, the latter are deprived of the right to conduct them without the participation of a priest, who, in turn, can perform almost all the sacraments. Bishops carry out ordination to the priesthood; in their hands is all the power that the church can give to a person. This is the highest degree of priesthood.
At the base of the hierarchical ladder are bishops, followed by archbishops in increasing power, then the metropolitan and, finally, the patriarch.
Secular clergy
The white clergy is the largest, comprising the vast majority of the clergy. However, it is also closest to worldly life. In our state, small churches have been built in almost all, even small, settlements. If the parish is small, there is one priest per parish. In larger parishes, an archpriest, a priest and a deacon are needed for pastoral service. In many ways, the position of the clergy depends on the participation and help of the laity. The hierarchy here is not very complicated.
Altar servers
At the altar, the priest also needs help, and he receives it from novices, who are called sextons, or altar servers. Not only men can play this role. Often these functions are taken on by nuns or elderly parishioners. Temples typically have a need for male believers who would like to take on the responsibility of serving God in this way.
To become a sexton, you do not need to go through the ritual of the sacrament. It is enough to receive a blessing to serve from the rector of a particular temple. Responsibilities of the altar server:
- make sure that lamps and candles are burning at the iconostasis, arrange them;
- prepare the priest's vestments;
- bring wine, prosphora and incense on time;
- during communion, bring a cloth with which to wipe your lips;
- maintain order in the altar.
All these actions are quite within the power of the majority of believers who want to serve the Lord and be at the temple.
Readers
Readers, or psalmists in other words, do not have the sacred degree. The task of these people is to read the texts of prayers and Holy Scripture during the service. But in some cases, the abbots of temples may give other instructions to the readers. The rite of consecration, ordaining a person to become a reader, is conducted by the bishop. If the rite is not performed, the reader will then not be able to try himself in the role of subdeacon, deacon and priest.
Subdeacons
During sacred ceremonies, bishops require assistants. Subdeacons act in this capacity. Their task includes offering candles, laying out the eagle, vesting the bishop, and washing his hands. Despite the fact that these clerics wear orari and put on surplices, they do not possess a sacred degree. By the way, the surplice and the orarion are parts of the deacon’s vestments, while the orarion symbolizes the wings of an angel.
Deacons
The first degree of priesthood includes deacons. Their main goal is to help priests during services. They themselves, alone, cannot conduct any services. Since maintaining a large clergy is not an easy task, not all small parishes have deacons.
Protodeacons
These clergy are the chief deacons at cathedrals. Only those who have held holy orders for at least two decades are awarded rank.
In addition, there are patriarchal archdeacons - those who serve the patriarchs. Unlike other archdeacons, they belong to the white clergy.
Priests
This title is considered the first in the priesthood. The priests begin the flock, perform all the sacraments, with the exception of ordination, and conduct services (but do not consecrate the antimension).
Most parishioners are accustomed to calling priests priests. A white priest also bears the name “presbyter,” and one belonging to the black clergy is called “hieromonk.”
Archpriests
As a reward, this title may be given to a priest. They are initiated into it during the sacrament of consecration.
Protopresbyter
This rank is the highest rank of the white clergy. According to tradition, the Russian Orthodox Church issues this title only for special spiritual merits, and the decision on the award is made by the patriarch himself.
Bishops
The third degree of priesthood is occupied by bishops, who are able to conduct absolutely all Orthodox sacraments. They may also conduct ordination for clergy. They are the ones who govern the entire life of the church, who lead the dioceses. Bishops include bishops, metropolitans and archbishops.
Black clergy
The decision to lead a monastic lifestyle is one of the most difficult in a person’s life. Therefore, before becoming a monk, you must go through novitiate. This is preparation, primarily moral, for dedicating your entire life to the Lord. During this time, you can get used to monastic life and reflect on the necessity of the vow.
After tonsure, a person is given a new name. From that moment on, he was called “Rassophore”, or “monk”. When he accepts the minor schema, he is called a monk, at which time his name changes again and he takes on additional vows.
When accepting the great schema, the monk turns into a schemamonk, his vows become even more strict and his name changes again. Usually schemamonks do not live with the monastery brethren. Often they go into hermitage or become hermits or hermits. They are the ones who perform famous monastic feats.
Hierodeacons and hieromonks
A monk who has accepted the rank of deacon becomes a hierodeacon. If he has the rank of priest, then it is correct to call him a hieromonk. In this case, the title is obtained upon completion of the consecration procedure. White priests can become hieromonks only after monastic tonsure.
Abbots
The abbots of monasteries are called abbots. To become one, you must go through the procedure of election among the hieromonks.
Archimandrites
These clergy belong to one of the highest Orthodox monastic orders. As a rule, it is issued to the abbots of large monasteries.
It is interesting that archpriests can also become archimandrites: in the event of the death of their mother and when deciding to lead a monastic lifestyle.
Bishops and archbishops
The leadership of dioceses is available to bishops who are ranked among the first rank of bishop. Large dioceses are headed by archbishops. The latter title is considered honorable and can be awarded to those who have great merits before God and the church.
Metropolitan
Several dioceses located in one district or in one region are presided over by a metropolitan.
Patriarch
Patriarchs belong to the highest rank of bishops; they head local churches. Only a person who is the head of an autocephalous church can receive rank. In Russia, the current representative of this rank is Patriarch Kirill.
Features of tonsure as a monk
Monasticism is a special way of life for the sake of serving God. Monks have many differences from white clergy. The tonsure can be called the second baptism, because through it a person’s soul is renewed and reborn. After the ceremony, the person is considered to have renounced the world and is now clothed in the image of an angel.
But becoming a monk is not so easy. It is not enough to simply make this decision; you need to justify it and go through a kind of probationary period. During it, the candidate goes through the so-called “monastic work,” which includes three steps:
- the life of a worker;
- the title of candidate for novitiate;
- novitiate.
The difference between the steps is great. Every believer who goes to church can work in it if he has a desire to work for the glory of God. Workers may have families and children. In some cases, they are even paid wages. But if such a person - a servant - lives at a monastery, then he takes upon himself the obligation to comply with the rules adopted there and give up harmful habits.
Upon entering a monastery, a person receives the title of candidate novice. From this moment on, he must begin to figure out how monastic life suits him. The confessor, as well as the abbot of the monastery and the elder brothers, independently determine how long he will remain in the monastery in this capacity.
A novice becomes one who has successfully completed the probationary period, still expresses a desire to live in the monastery, and who is not restrained by any external obstacles. To do this, you need to write a petition to the ruling bishop, which accompanies the letter on behalf of the rector. The diocesan authorities must give their blessing, after which the brother can become a resident of the monastery.
Types of tonsure in monasticism
There are three types of monastic tonsure accepted in Orthodoxy. In accordance with them, monks become:
- ryassophores;
- those who have passed through the small schema;
- those who have passed through the great schema.
Rassophors undertake to live in a monastery for at least three years. Only in the case of a terminal illness can a candidate write a petition to be tonsured a monk before three years have passed.
During the sacred rite, special prayers are read, hair is cut with the help of a cross, the old name is changed (although in some cases the tonsured person can keep his old one), and the person is dressed in a cassock. During tonsure there is no need to pronounce vows, but the very fact of freely entering the path of a monk implies taking on obligations before the Lord. These obligations mean, first of all, the so-called pure living. The intercession of the saint whose name is taken during the ritual helps with this.
Some monasteries skip the stage of the cassock ceremony and immediately perform the sacrament of the minor schema. There is evidence of believers who immediately accepted the great schema. This means maintaining an individual approach to each believer in Orthodox tradition. It is during the small and great schema that people who become monks make vows to God and renounce worldly life. From this moment on, they not only have a new name and vestments, but also a new life.
Despite these differences, clergymen of both types of clergy have common task: teach children and adults Orthodoxy and correct life, enlighten and bring good. Both white and black clergy are a very important part of serving God, and not only Orthodoxy, but also Catholicism has this system.
Clergy is a collective term to designate a social class, individuals or social group consisting of professional ministers of a particular religion. Used, as a rule, only to monotheistic religions.
Christianity
Main article: Clear
In local Orthodox churches, the clergy (clergy) includes only men. The clergy constitutes three degrees of priesthood: deacon, priest (priest) and bishop (bishop). The bishopric is only attainable by monastics.
In Protestant churches there is no strict division between clergy and laity. There are positions of bishop, pastor and presbyter, which, however, are perceived precisely as a position, and not a rank.
In Orthodoxy, the priesthood includes both married people (the so-called white clergy) and monks ordained to the priesthood (black clergy - those who have taken a vow of celibacy).
In Latin Rite Catholicism, celibacy is mandatory for all priests; the white clergy includes diocesan priests who have not taken monastic vows, and the black clergy includes priests belonging to one of the monastic orders.
In Orthodoxy and Catholicism the term clergyman is used (in Catholicism it is also an appointed minister).
In Orthodoxy, clergy include:
- subdeacon
- cleric
In Catholicism before the Second Vatican Council:
- acolyte
- exorcist
- ostiary
After the Second Vatican Council, only readers and acolytes were left.
Some Special Terms Relating to Christian Clergy
Buddhism
Hierarchs of the Buddhist community
- Dalai Lama
- Dharmaraja (Chogyal)
- Sangharaja (English) Russian.
- Supreme Patriarch of Thailand (English)Russian
- Supreme Patriarch of Cambodia (English)Russian
- Je Khempo
- bonze
- Sayado (English) Russian
- Shiretui (Mongolian shireet, Bur. shereete)
- Gegen (Mongolian Gegeen)
- Khutukhta
- tiba (Wiley khri ba; titog, Wiley khri thog)
- Go shi (Japanese) Russian.
- baksha (calm. bagsh)
- Hambo Lama
- Pandita Hambo Lama
- Kamby Lama
- Shajin Lama
- tulku (hubilgan)
Degrees of monasticism
- bhikkhus (bhikkhu, gelong) (227/250/253 vows)
- bhikkhuni (bhikkhuni, gelongma) (311/348/360/364 vows)
- shikshamana (sikkhamana (English) Russian, gelobma)
- sramanera (samanera (English) Russian, getsul) (36 vows)
- sramanerika (samaneri (English) Russian, getsulma)
- pravrajya (pabbaja (English) Russian, rabjung, bandi/huvarak, kon Ryusui (English) Russian, shinpyu (English) Russian, khenjanim) (10 vows)
- Anagarika (English) Russian/Brahmacharya (8 vows)
- Dasasil mata (English)Russian (thilashin (English) Russian) (10 vows)
- mechi (English) Russian) (8 vows)
- siladhara (English)Russian (about 100 vows)
- bodhisattva monks (Tiantai) (58 vows, see Mahayana Brahmajala Sutra (English) Russian.
Other
- Lama (Himalayan-Mongolian Buddhism)
- adzyari (English) Russian (Shingon)
- miter (Nalandabodhi (English) Russian)
- Zen priest (see Inka) (sensei) (Soto, Rinzai, Taego (English) Russian, Kwan Eum)
- priest of Jodo-shinshu
- Priest Nichiren-shu
- Vajracharya (Newar Buddhism (English) Russian)
- Patriarch Zhai Jiao (English)Russian
- kru (manufacturer of amulets that protect against spirits) Laos)
- dancing duan gong (a type of shaman, Southwestern and Central China)
- Yarlykchi (Southern Alt. Dyarlykchy, Burkhanism)
- Kyoumu (Won Buddhism)
- kapuwa (kapua, kapurala) (priest of cults of Hindu origin Sri Lanka)
- bali-edura (bandhanaya) (priest of the astrological cult, Sri Lanka)
- edura (yakadura, kattadiya, kattandiya) (priest/shaman of a demonic cult, Sri Lanka)
- medlgch (an expert in Buddhism, without a rank, Kalmykia)
- erөolch (performer of good wishes, Mongolia)
Every Orthodox man meets with clergy who speak publicly or conduct church services. At first glance, you can understand that each of them wears some special rank, because it’s not for nothing that they have differences in clothing: different colored robes, hats, some have jewelry made of precious stones, while others are more ascetic. But not everyone is given the ability to understand ranks. To find out the main ranks of clergy and monks, let's look at the ranks of the Orthodox Church in ascending order.
It should immediately be said that all ranks are divided into two categories:
- Secular clergy. These include ministers who may have a family, wife and children.
- Black clergy. These are those who accepted monasticism and renounced worldly life.
Secular clergy
The description of people who serve the Church and the Lord comes from Old Testament. The scripture says that before the Nativity of Christ, the prophet Moses appointed people who were supposed to communicate with God. It is with these people that today's hierarchy of ranks is associated.
Altar server (novice)
This person is a lay assistant to the clergy. His responsibilities include:
If necessary, a novice can ring bells and read prayers, but he is strictly forbidden to touch the throne and walk between the altar and the Royal Doors. The altar server wears the most ordinary clothes, with a surplice thrown over the top.
This person is not elevated to the rank of clergy. He must read prayers and words from scripture, interpret them ordinary people and explain to children the basic rules of Christian life. For special zeal, the clergyman can ordain the psalmist as a subdeacon. As for church clothes, he is allowed to wear a cassock and a skufia (velvet cap).
This person also does not have holy orders. But he can wear a surplice and an orarion. If the bishop blesses him, then the subdeacon can touch the throne and enter through the Royal Doors into the altar. Most often, the subdeacon helps the priest perform the service. He washes his hands during services and gives him the necessary items (tricirium, ripids).
Church ranks of the Orthodox Church
All of the church ministers listed above are not clergy. These are simple peaceful people who want to get closer to the church and the Lord God. They are accepted into their positions only with the blessing of the priest. Let's start looking at the ecclesiastical ranks of the Orthodox Church from the lowest.
The position of deacon has remained unchanged since ancient times. He, as before, must help in worship, but he is prohibited from independently performing church services and representing the Church in society. His main responsibility is reading the Gospel. Currently, the need for the services of a deacon is no longer required, so their number in churches is steadily decreasing.
This is the most important deacon at a cathedral or church. Previously, this rank was given to a protodeacon, who was distinguished by his special zeal for service. To determine that this is a protodeacon, you should look at his vestments. If he wears an orarion with the words “Holy! Holy! Holy,” that means he’s the one in front of you. But at present, this rank is given only after a deacon has served in the church for at least 15–20 years.
It is these people who have a beautiful singing voice, know many psalms, prayers, and sing at various church services.
This word came to us from the Greek language and translated means “priest.” In the Orthodox Church this is the lowest rank of priest. The bishop gives him the following powers:
- perform divine services and other sacraments;
- bring teaching to people;
- conduct communion.
The priest is prohibited from consecrating antimensions and performing the sacrament of ordination of the priesthood. Instead of a hood, his head is covered with a kamilavka.
This rank is given as a reward for some merit. The archpriest is the most important among the priests and also the rector of the temple. During the performance of the sacraments, archpriests put on a chasuble and stole. Several archpriests can serve in one liturgical institution at once.
This rank is given only by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' as a reward for the kindest and most useful deeds that a person has done in favor of the Russian Orthodox Church. This is the highest rank in the white clergy. It will no longer be possible to earn a higher rank, since then there are ranks that are prohibited from starting a family.
Nevertheless, many, in order to get a promotion, leave worldly life, family, children and go into monastic life forever. In such families, the wife most often supports her husband and also goes to the monastery to take monastic vows.
Black clergy
It includes only those who have taken monastic vows. This hierarchy of ranks is more detailed than that of those who preferred family life monastic.
This is a monk who is a deacon. He helps clergy conduct sacraments and perform services. For example, he carries out the vessels necessary for rituals or makes prayer requests. The most senior hierodeacon is called "archdeacon."
This is a man who is a priest. He is allowed to perform various sacred sacraments. This rank can be received by priests from the white clergy who decided to become monks, and by those who have undergone consecration (giving a person the right to perform the sacraments).
This is the abbot or abbess of the Russian Orthodox monastery or temple. Previously, most often, this rank was given as a reward for services to the Russian Orthodox Church. But since 2011, the patriarch decided to grant this rank to any abbot of the monastery. During initiation, the abbot is given a staff with which he must walk around his domain.
This is one of the highest ranks in Orthodoxy. Upon receiving it, the clergyman is also awarded a miter. The archimandrite wears a black monastic robe, which distinguishes him from other monks by the fact that he has red tablets on him. If, in addition, the archimandrite is the rector of any temple or monastery, he has the right to carry a rod - a staff. He is supposed to be addressed as “Your Reverence.”
This rank belongs to the category of bishops. At their ordination, they received the highest grace of the Lord and therefore can perform any sacred rites, even ordain deacons. According to church laws, they have equal rights; the archbishop is considered the most senior. According to ancient tradition, only a bishop can bless the service with an antimis. This is a quadrangular scarf in which part of the relics of a saint is sewn.
This clergyman also controls and guards all monasteries and churches that are located on the territory of his diocese. The generally accepted address to a bishop is “Vladyka” or “Your Eminence.”
This is a high-ranking clergy or the highest title of bishop, the oldest on earth. He obeys only the patriarch. Differs from other dignitaries in the following details in clothing:
- has a blue robe (bishops have red ones);
- hood white with a cross trimmed precious stones(the rest have a black hood).
This rank is given for very high merits and is a badge of distinction.
The highest rank in the Orthodox Church, the main priest of the country. The word itself combines two roots: “father” and “power”. He is elected at the Council of Bishops. This rank is for life; only in the rarest cases can it be deposed and excommunicated. When the place of the patriarch is empty, a locum tenens is appointed as a temporary executor, who does everything that the patriarch should do.
This position carries responsibility not only for itself, but also for the entire Orthodox people of the country.
The ranks in the Orthodox Church, in ascending order, have their own clear hierarchy. Despite the fact that we call many clergy “father,” every Orthodox Christian should know the main differences between dignitaries and positions.
The Orthodox clergy is a special class that appeared in Rus' in 988, after the Baptism of Rus'. History is silent about how the situation with the clergy was before this period, but it is known that the priest Gregory traveled with Princess Olga to Constantinople. At a time when the clergy was entrusted with a special and very important mission - the Christianization of the population, priests were considered a special and privileged class. Many came from Greece and Bulgaria; even children from different classes were selected for education as the future clergy. The monks enjoyed special honor and respect, and the ascetic culture turned out to be especially close to the people. Rich and noble people of that time went to the monastery. In addition, monasteries have always carried out charitable work. The princes favored the monasteries and freed them from taxes. No exact information has been preserved about who became the first Metropolitan of Kyiv. Since the 16th century, it was believed that he was Michael I the Syrian, who was once sent to perform the Sacrament of Baptism over Prince Vladimir. In Kyiv, he baptized local residents. The relics of Metropolitan Michael were kept in the Church of the Tithes, but then they were transferred to the Great Church of the Lavra.
White and black clergy
In the Russian Orthodox Church there have always been white and black clergy. The white clergy includes priests who can marry, and the black clergy includes residents of monasteries who have taken a vow of celibacy.
The white clergy is numerous. Before starting ministry, priests can start a family, or they can choose the path of celibacy. Black clergy “withdraw from the world” and refuse marriage.
Hierarchy of the white clergy
It is worth noting that the hierarchy of the clergy did not appear since the advent of the Church. At the dawn of Christianity, everyone was equal. Gradually, the need to distinguish between church titles and ranks became obvious. In the Russian Orthodox Church you cannot immediately “come to the position” of Metropolitan or Bishop. Such titles must be earned. We will tell you more about the role each clergy rank plays in the life of the Church in this article.
At the head of the Russian Orthodox Church is the Primate - the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'. Together with the Holy Synod, it administers church affairs.
Responsible for several dioceses at once. Bishops do not make important decisions without the knowledge of the Metropolitan.
Each diocese has its own Bishop responsible for the area assigned to him. Absolutely all bishops belong to the black clergy. Bishops are responsible for large dioceses.
There are also deacons and protodeacons who assist the priest and archpriest during services. A deacon cannot conduct divine services on his own.
Thus, the hierarchy in the white clergy looks like this:
- Patriarch
- Metropolitan
- Bishop/Bishop
- Priest/Archpriest
- Deacon/protodeacon
Hierarchy of the black clergy
The black clergy has its own rules:
The Patriarch is still considered the head of the Church. And the head of several dioceses is the Metropolitan. A diocese can be headed by a bishop or archbishop (for the largest dioceses). Abbot large monastery and the highest monastic rank is Archimandrite. This status is given for special services to the Church. The abbot of the monastery, chosen by the hieromonks, is the abbot. Interestingly, a widower priest can also become an archimandrite after monastic tonsure. The inhabitants of the monasteries are Hierodeacons and Hieromonks.