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{{incomplete}} The '''Bishopbishop''' is the first and highest degree of the [[clergy]] in the [[Orthodox Church]] (''episkopos'' in Greek, which means overseer). He is the successor to the Apostles in the service and government of the Church. A '''ruling bishop''', is responsible for and the head of all the parishes located in his diocese. All authority of the lower orders of clergy is derived from the bishop. No divine services may be served in any Orthodox temple without the authorization of a bishop.
<! --- == Episcopal Ministry ==--->
== Rankings of Bishops ==
In the Greek tradition, all diocesan bishops (with a few exceptions) are now metropolitans, and an archbishop holds his title as an indication of greater importance for whatever reason.
=== ''Non Ruling Bishops'' ===
A bishop who does not rule his own diocese is either a Patriarchal Vicar or an Auxilliary Bishop.
Auxilliary Bishops do not govern in their own right but only act as directed by their diocesan bishop.
=== ''Special Forms'' ===
The primate of the [[Church of Constantinople]] assumed the title Ecumenical Patriarch. The primate of the [[Church of Alexandria]] was granted the title Pope and Patriarch. The primate of the [[Church of Georgia]] recently amended his title from Catholicos to Catholicos-Patriarch.
===Correspondence===
In general, when referring to a hierarch, His is often used (e.g. His All Holiness, BARTHOLOMEWBartholomew, Archbishop of Constantinople, New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch visited Tarpon Springs, Florida in January of 2006). When speaking to a hierarch Your is often used (Your Eminence, I'm so glad to see you!).
Bishop [[Tikhon (Fitzgerald) of San Francisco and Los Angeles|Tikhon (Fitzgerald) of San Francisco and the West]] ([[OCA]]) wrote a short memo on the [http://www.holy-trinity.org/general/conventions.html ''Conventions of writing to a hierarch''].
<! --- == Bishop's Vestments ==--->
==See also==
*[[:Category:Images of Hierarchs]]
[[Category:Clergy]]
[[Category:Bishops|*]]
[[ro:Episcop]]