In the Coptic Orthodox Church there exists an order of hierarchy for clerical ranks. The
first and highest rank is known as the Episcopate Rank, and is composed of all the Bishops. Next
is the Presbyterate rank, which is made up of all the priests. The third and final is the deaconate
rank, which is a subordinate rank in the hierarchy of orders in the Coptic Orthodox Church. The
deaconate order is broken into five sub-ranks: Archdeacon, Deacon, Sub-deacon, Reader, and
Chanter. Why was there a deaconate order? In Acts 6:1, St Luke writes that the Hellenists were
complaining because their widows were neglected in daily distribution. In reverence, the
disciples then said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables.
Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy
Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; but we will give ourselves
continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” (Acts 6:2-3) Therefore, the disciples
decided to appoint people, later called deacons, to attend to the widows. The seven selected
were, Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon,
Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch (Acts 6:5). To be a part of the deaconate order
a member of the congregation is ordained by the laying of the hands. A newly ordained deacon
starts off with the lowest possible deaconate rank, known as Chanter. He will then be continually
elevated until he reaches the highest possible rank, but this only happens when he is found
meritorious.
To be found meritorious a member of the congregation must have certain qualifications.
Saint Paul told us these qualifi...
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...e bishop, recommends candidates for the
Holy Order of Deaconate, and takes a role at ordinations.
In summation, the Coptic Orthodox Church has an order of ranks, the Episcopate,
Presbyterate, and Deaconate ranks. The Episcopate rank is the highest followed by the
Presbyterate and Deaconate ranks. The deaconate order is broken into five smaller ranks
(Archdeacon, Deacon, Sub-deacon, Reader, and Chanter) each with different tasks and
responsibilities in order of rank. Regardless, of each deacon’s rank, it is what the deacon does in
his position, not the level. Saint John had said "If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and
where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor" (Jn
12:26). Deacons should work to serve God by their own will, and to the best of their ability, so
that they may receive the ultimate reward.
through the ranks of the church and had the utmost respect of the people of
reverend, is seen as a holy reverent person, to be looked upon as a level
In the first Epistle to Timothy, outlined three things that are attributable to each other.
to the church to confess or seek help, so the Friar was the person who
is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation”
Many bishops and abbots (especially in countries where they were also territorial princes) bore themselves as secular rulers rather than as servants of the Church. Many members of cathedral chapters and other beneficed ecclesiastics were chiefly concerned with their income and how to increase it, especially by uniting several prebends (even episcopal sees) in the hands of one person, who thus enjoyed a larger income and greater power. Luxury prevailed widely among the higher clergy, while the lower clergy were often oppressed. The scientific and ascetic training of the clergy left much to be desired, the moral standard of many being very low, and the practice of celibacy not everywhere observed. Not less serious was the condition of many monasteries of men, and even of women (which were often homes for the unmarried daughte...
...e lowest level accommodates for thieves, murderers, adulterers,, etc. The middle heaven is for good non-Mormons and Mormons who lacked total obedience to the LDS faith and commandments. The highest level is for devout Mormons, who go on to become gods of their own planets and universes.
Throughout the early centuries of the church’s existence, the Roman government suppressed the spread of Christianity. Many emperors did their absolute best to try to stop the Christian populace from spreading with none succeeding (demonstrated by the fact that Christianity is still in existence today). It was not until 322 A.D. when Constantine united all of Europe under his throne that Christianity could be spread without threat of persecution. Under Constantine, Christianity, in terms of numerically, thrived. Councils were held, doctrine developed, and great strides were taken in order to have Christianity be one catholic church. However, in the next couple centuries, the church would grow apart and rulers would fall resulting in mass turmoil throughout the Western Empire. The Roman Catholic Church (as it would later be called) used these events to secure its grip over the entire western empire.
He had two altar boys who assisted in the readings and passing out communion. Above the pews there was a choir as
Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word” (kingjamesbibleonline.org). This passage demonstrates why the church needs the right appointed deacons and elders. Dever and Alexander conclude, “Elders need deacons to serve practically, and deacons need elders to lead spiritually” (Dever and Alexander 132).
This essay gives a brief outline of the major developments in the role of the Papacy between the Early Church and the present day. It will cover four aspects. The development of the papacy as a temporal ruler, Papal elections, the Curia and the development of the ‘mission role’ of the Papacy. It will explore how the papacy changed from being an organisation that had the influence to appoint kings and arrange state borders to one with a billion followers. These followers see the papacy as being responsible for the administration, pastoral and spiritual care of their membership.
The Church was organised into a hierarchical system that sustained the Church’s stability and control over the people and lower clergy, by organising them into different groups. First there were the ordinary believers, the citizens of the kingdom who followed the Christian faith. Then there was the clergy, the members who devoted their lives to the church. Each group of the clergy was assigned specific functions by the clergy nobles to help run the Church competently. Amongst all the clergy associates, the Pope was at the top, he had the equivalent if not more power than the ruling monarch and was in charge of all political affairs and administered the clergy. He was able to dictate political laws and even comment on the Monarch’s decisions. Under the Pope, there were the bishops. The bishops directed church courts and managed cases correlated to the public such as marriage, wills and other public predicaments. Priests held religious services that consisted of sacraments, baptisms and the usual Sabbath services. The monks and nuns received manual labour that required helping clean the monasteries and assist the needy. Educated monks copied manuscripts of medieval and ancient knowledge in the Scriptorium. Finally...
Christ Jesus, who being in the form of Daylight's dauphin, thought it not robbery to be equal with the King-:
Holy Orders is a Sacrament at the Service of Communion that Jesus gave the Church to pass on to men. It was set up to provide ministers of service to the Church. Those who have received this sacrament are members of a college that dedicates their lives to become servants of the Word of God. They are called to live a life of self-denial, celibacy, and sacrifice for the well being of other beings. Holy Orders gives different powers and authorities in the Church on three different levels.