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== Rankings According to [[Canon law|Church Law]], bishops of Bishops ==an area must meet in [[council]]s. When doing so, the metropolitan or patriarchate presides administratively.
Sacramentally==Male monastics only==In the Orthodox Church, all from about the sixth century, it has been the rule that bishops are equalsingle men or widowers. Nevertheless, there Bishops are distinctions also usually in at least the first degree of administrative rank among bishops[[monastic]] orders.
=== Patriarchs ===Through the [[sacrament]] of [[Ordination|holy orders]] bishops give order to the Church. Bishops guarantee the continuity and unity of the Church from age to age and from place to place, that is, from the time of Christ and the apostles until the establishment of God's Kingdom in eternity. Bishops receive the gift of the Holy Spirit to manifest Christ in the Spirit to men. Bishops are neither vicars, substitutes, nor representatives of Christ. It is Christ, through his chosen ministers, who acts as teacher, good shepherd, forgiver, and healer. It is Christ remitting sins, and curing the physical, mental, and spiritual ills of mankind. This is a mystery of the Church.
The title ==Ruling bishop==A '''ruling bishop''' or '''diocesan bishop''' is responsible for and the head of all the [[patriarchparish]] is reserved for the es located in his a particular geographical territory, called a [[primatediocese]] of certain of the or [[autocephalousarchdiocese]] . All authority of the lower orders of clergy is derived from the bishop. No divine services may be served in any Orthodox churchestemple without the authorization of a bishop. The first hierarch Saint [[Ignatius of Antioch|Ignatius the other autocephalous churches are styled metropolitan or archbishop or metropolitan archbishopGod-bearer of Antioch]] went so far as to state that "he who acts without the bishop's knowledge is in the devil's service. "
The title patriarch was first applied to the original three major sees of Rome, Alexandria, and Antioch, and shortly after extended to include Constantinople and JerusalemHe may be called ''Bishop'' or ''Archbishop'' or ''Metropolitan'' or ''Metropolitan Archbishop'' or ''Patriarch''.
Much later the term was granted to the heads ==Rankings of other most significant Churchesbishops==Sacramentally, all bishops are equal. Significance for some Churches nowNevertheless, may be more historical than actualthere are distinctions of administrative rank among bishops.
In The title patriarch was first applied to the Slavonic original three major [[see]]s of [[Church of Rome|Rome]], [[Church of Alexandria|Alexandria]], and Antiochian traditions[[Church of Antioch|Antioch]], a metropolitan outranks an archbishopand shortly after extended to include [[Church of Constantinople|Constantinople]] and [[Church of Jerusalem|Jerusalem]] (cf. The reverse is the situation in the Greek tradition. The Antiochian tradition also uses the style metropolitan archbishop to differentiate from metropolitan bishops in the Greek tradition[[Pentarchy]]).
The change in the Greek tradition came about in Much later Greek history, because the [[diocese|diocesan]] bishops of ancient sees (which in term was granted to the Greek world are pretty much all heads of them) came to other most significant churches. Significance for some churches now may be styled metropolitansmore historical than actual.
== Diocese Bishop ==The change in the Greek tradition came about in later Greek history, because the diocesan bishops of ancient sees (which in the Greek [[diaspora]] include most) came to be styled metropolitans, short for "metropolitan bishops."
===''Non Ruling Bishops''===The Slavonic and Antiochian churches continue to follow the older tradition, where an archbishop is a senior bishop in charge of a major see, and a metropolitan is a bishop in charge of a province which may include a number of minor and/or major sees.
A In the Greek tradition, all diocesan bishops of autocephalous churches such as the Church of Greece (the bishop who does not rule of Patras being Metropolitan) are now metropolitans, and an archbishop holds his own diocese title as an indication of greater importance for whatever reason. The [[Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America]] is either a Patriarchal Vicar or an Auxilliary Bishopthe notable exception in the Greek practice where diocesan bishops carry the title of metropolitan. In other churches under the jurisdiction of the [[Ecumenical Patriarchate]] such as the [[Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia]] the ruling bishop is the archbishop while the other bishops are auxiliary bishops with titles of the ancient sees.
In the ===Patriarchal vicars===''Main Article: [[Church of AntiochVicar]], a bishop who is in charge of a newly-created diocese on behalf of, and under the supervision of, the Patriarch of Antioch is called a Patriarchal Vicar. The diocese is usually kept under the direct control of the patriarch until it becomes self-supporting. Patriarchal Vicars are not members of the Holy Synod, and do not answer to the Holy Synod.''
===Auxilliary Bishops===who are assigned a title of ancient dioceses that no longer function are called titular bishops. The [[Diocese of Sourozh]], the diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) in Great Britain and Ireland, is an example. However, generally, titular bishops are auxiliary bishops.
Auxilliary Bishops are significantly different ===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 Patriarchal Vicars[[Catholicos]] to Catholicos-Patriarch.
Most Orthodox Churches allow themselves the capacity to appoint Auxilliary Bishops to assist ruling bishops within their own dioceses or archdioceses. ==Hierarchical vestments==''Main Article: [[Vestments]]''
Auxilliary Bishops do not govern in their own right but only act as directed by their diocesan The bishopwears a monastic garment called a [[mantiya]] when he arrives at a divine service. Unlike the typical monastic mantiya, which is black, that of the bishop is some other color, purple for bishops and Greek metropolitans, blue for archbishops and non-Greek metropolitans, and green for a patriarch, and upon it are sewn the Tables of the Law, square patches at the neck and feet, characterizing the Old and New Covenants. In addition, strips of cloth, called fountains, are sewn horizontally around the mantiya, representing the streams of teachings which flow from the bishop's mouth.
=== ''Special Forms'' ===In the slavonic traditions, a ruling bishop is usually liturgically vested in the center of his church. In the Greek traditions, bishops are often vested at the altar. In the Antiochian tradition, the bishop usually vests in the sanctuary.
The primate of Liturgically, except for the [[Church of Constantinoplephelonion]] assumed the title Ecumenical Patriarch. The primate of and the [[Church of Alexandrianabedrennik]] was granted , a bishop wears all the title Pope and Patriarchvestments of a priest. The primate phelonion was at first part of the bishop's vestments but was replaced by a garment, similar to the deacon's [[sticharion]], called a [[Church of Georgiasakkos]] recently amended his title from Catholicos to Catholicos-Patriarch(also ''saccos''), a garment of humility. As Christ's robe was without seam, the bishop, as an icon of Christ, wears the saccos either sewn or buttoned at the sides.
== Etiquette =====Correspondence===Over the saccos, the bishop wears a wide shoulder covering called the [[omophorion]]. It hangs down in front and back, and symbolizes the wandering sheep which Christ took upon his shoulders as the Good Shepherd. In ancient times, was made of sheepskin. At other times at services, the bishop may wear a shorter omophorion that has both ends hanging down the front called the small omophorion
In generalThe bishop wears a richly embroidered crown, when referring to called a hierarch, His [[miter|mitre]]. This is often used (e.g. His All Holiness, BARTHOLOMEW, Archbishop of Constantinople, New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch visited Tarpon Springs, Florida in January of 2006). When speaking to represent the power conferred upon a hierarch Your is often used (Your Eminence, I'm so glad to see you!)minister of the Church.
Bishop Together with his [[Tikhon pectoral cross]], the bishop also wears a small, circular icon of the Savior or of the Mother of God, called the [[Panagia (Fitzgeraldvestment) of San Francisco and Los Angeles|Tikhon (Fitzgerald) of San Francisco and the WestPanagia]] (All-Holy), or [[OCAEngolpion]]) wrote a short memo on the [http://www.holy-trinity.org/general/conventions, over his heart.html ''Conventions of writing This is to a hierarch'']remind him that he must always bear in his heart our Lord and his Holy Mother, and thus his own heart must be pure.
== BishopAn episcopal staff called a [[crosier|crozier]] is carried by the bishop, as a shepherd's Vestments ==crook, to be reminiscent that he is a shepherd of Christ's flock. It has a cross at the top, just above a double crook. This double crook is sometimes in the shape of serpents' heads, symbolizing the serpent lifted up by [[Moses]] in the wilderness. (Now Christ lifted up on the Cross.)
{{incomplete}}In the Greek traditions, the bishop sits or stands at the [[cathedra|bishop's throne]] on the south side of the church, on the [[solea]]. The back of the chair of this throne has an icon depicting Christ the King, and the bishop will first venerate this icon before occupying the throne. At times during the services, the bishop blesses the faithful with two candlesticks, one with two candles called [[dikiri]] and the other with three called [[trikiri]], the first symbolizing the two natures of Christ, the other symbolizing the three persons of the [[Holy Trinity]]. ==See also==*[[:Category:Images of Hierarchs]]
very minor edit: changed "his Holy Spirit" to "the Holy Spirit". Paired with "his people" and "his Church", "his Holy Spirit" makes the Spirit sound like an attribute or subordinate of Christ
{{incomplete}} {{Template:Clergy}}The '''Bishopbishop''' is the first and highest degree of the [[clergy]] in the [[Orthodox Church]] (επίσκοπος or ''episkopos'' in Greek, which means overseer). He is the successor to the Apostles in the service and government of the Church. A 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 ministry==A bishop is the [[Apostolic succession|successor]] to the [[Apostles]] in the service and government of the Church. The bishop thus serves εις τόπον και τύπον Χριστού (in place and as a type of Christ) in the Church. No bishop in Orthodoxy is considered infallible. None has any authority over or apart from his priests, deacons, and people or the other bishops. They have the responsibility of maintaining the unity of the Church throughout the world by insuring the truth and unity of the faith and practice of their diocese. The bishop represent his particular diocese to the other churches or dioceses, and represents the Universal Church to his own particular [[priest]]s, [[deacon]]s, and people.
==Holy orders==
It is the belief of Orthodoxy that [[Christ]] is the only priest, pastor, and teacher of the Christian Church. He alone forgives sins and offers communion with [[God]], his [[God the Father|Father]]. Christ alone guides and rules his people. Christ remains with his Church as its living and unique head. Christ remains present and active in the Church through the [[Holy Spirit]].
=== Archbishops and Metropolitans Patriarchs===''Main Article: [[Patriarch]]''
The title patriarch is reserved for the [[primate]] of archbishop or metropolitan may be granted to a senior bishop, usually one who is in charge certain of a large ecclesiastical jurisdictionthe [[autocephalous]] Orthodox churches. He may The first [[hierarch]] of the other autocephalous churches are styled metropolitan or may not have provincial oversight of suffragan bishops. He may archbishop or may not have auxilliary bishops assisting himarchbishop.
===Archbishops and Metropolitans===The Slavonic and Antiochian Churches continue title of archbishop or metropolitan may be granted to follow the older tradition, where an archbishop is a senior bishop in charge of a major see, and a metropolitan usually one who is a bishop in charge of a province which large ecclesiastical [[jurisdiction]]. He may or may include a number not have provincial oversight of minor and/suffragan bishops. He may or major seesmay not have [[auxiliary bishop]]s assisting him.
In the Greek traditionSlavonic and Antiochian traditions, all diocesan bishops (with a few exceptions) are now metropolitans, and [[metropolitan]] outranks an archbishop holds his title as an indication of greater importance for whatever reason. The reverse is the situation in the Greek tradition. The Antiochian tradition also uses the style metropolitan archbishop to differentiate from metropolitan bishops in the Greek tradition.
===Patriarchal VicarsNon-ruling bishops===A bishop who does not rule his own diocese is either a Patriarchal Vicar or an Auxiliary Bishop.
In the [[Church of Antioch]], a bishop who is in charge of a newly-created diocese on behalf of, and under the supervision of, the Patriarch of Antioch is called a Patriarchal Vicar. The diocese is usually kept under the direct control of the patriarch until it becomes self-supporting. Patriarchal Vicars are not members of the [[Holy Synod]], and do not answer to the Holy Synod. When a diocese becomes self-supporting, it is usually granted a ruling bishop who becomes a member of the Holy Synod.
The equivalent title in some Orthodox jurisdictions is [[Exarch]].
The equivalent title in the Roman Catholic Church is "Vicar Apostolic." ===Auxiliary bishops===''Main Article: [[Auxiliary bishop]]'' Most Orthodox Churches allow themselves the capacity to appoint auxiliary bishops to assist ruling bishops within their own dioceses or archdioceses. Auxiliary bishops do not govern in their own right but only act as directed by their diocesan bishop. ===Titular bishops===''Main Article: [[Titular bishop]]''
==See alsoLiturgical items== * At services in the Slavic traditions, the bishop stands on a small round or oval rug, called [[:Category:Images of Hierarchsorlets]], upon which is represented an eagle hovering over a city. This symbolizes his rule over a city and the eagle reminds the bishop that by his teaching and life he must rise above his flock and be an example of one hopeful to the things of heaven.
[[Category:Clergy]]
[[Category:Bishops|*]]
[[el:Επίσκοπος]]
[[fr:Évêque]]
[[mk:Епископ]]
[[ro:Episcop]]
