Orthodox Christians believe that the one head of the Church is Jesus Christ. This provision is based on scripture information. The first bishop in the local church after the Son of God is usually called the primate of the church. An example of this in the Russian Orthodox Church is the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia.
But, in addition to this, another term is applied to the primate - the head of the Russian Church. There are other names that are found on the official website of the Russian Orthodox Church, on other church resources. So, for example, there is the concept of the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, also related to its primate - the patriarch. It is about the last post that will be discussed.
Who is the patriarch?
Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia - this title is held by the head of the Russian Orthodox Church. At different times, various versions of this name were used. Modern was used both in antiquity and now in the designation of all patriarchs, but it became an official title when Sergius was elected to the throne of the metropolitan in 1943 (in the world - Stragorodsky).
The patriarch is the ruling bishop (that is, the highest rank) of the Moscow diocese, which includes the city of Moscow and the region. But, in addition to this, according to the charter of the Russian Orthodox Church, he has a number of church-wide powers inherent in the head of the Orthodox Church. They will be discussed in more detail below.
The year of the establishment of the patriarchate was 1589, the city was Moscow, the first patriarch was Job. In 1721, the patriarchate was abolished, and then it was restored already in 1917. This was done on the basis of the decision of the All-Russian Local Council.
How is he elected?
As the current church charter of 2000 says, the rank of patriarch is appropriated for life. The issues of instituting the trial of the patriarch, his departure from service are decided by the bishops' council.
At a time when the patriarchal department was not occupied by anyone, the sacred synod from its midst nominated the locum tenens of the patriarchal throne. Then, after a period not exceeding six months, after the throne was liberated, the synod and locum tenens convene a local council, called to choose the next head of the Church.
Candidate Requirements
In order to be elected to the patriarchs, a candidate for this position must meet certain parameters, including:
- Age - not less than 40 years.
- The presence of higher education in theology.
- The presence of sufficient experience of diocesan administration.
It should be noted that the criteria, as well as the procedure for election to the Russian Orthodox Church, are periodically reviewed. So, for example, in 2011, a church body such as the Presidium of the inter-conciliar presence examined a draft document dealing with these issues. After that, this project was sent to the diocese to collect feedback, and it was also made public in order to organize a broad discussion.
The election process was first detailed in one of the ROC’s internal regulatory documents, a special provision adopted by the Council of Bishops on 02/05/2013.
Cases of election in the 20th century
Here are some examples of how individual patriarchs were elected in the 20th century.
- Metropolitan Tikhon was elected to the patriarchal throne by drawing lots. Moreover, the choice was made from three candidates previously approved by the local council.
- At a time when there was tight state control over church affairs, three patriarchs such as Pimen, Sergius, Alexy I were chosen by open, uncontested vote, with the obligatory approval of the government.
- Alexy II was elected by the local council of 1990 by secret ballot. In the 1st round, the participants were three candidates who had previously been approved by the Council of Bishops. Then the local council was given the right to add other candidates to the list. In the 2nd round, 2 candidates participated, who won the majority of votes in the previous round.
After election
After the candidate is elected to the patriarchal throne, the formula is pronounced according to which the name of the newly elected with the addition of the dignity is called - His Grace Metropolitan, and he is called by the great cathedral to carry out the patriarchate in the "God-saved city of Moscow and all of Russia." To which the new head of the Church replies that, since the great cathedral “loaned” him “unworthy” to be in the service, he thanks and does not object to this at all.
The official entry into the dignity is in the form of a specially conducted, solemnly arranged ceremony called intronization. It is carried out after a few days have passed since the election.
The powers of the patriarch
According to the current church charter, legalized in 2000, subject to later amendments, the patriarch has the primacy of honor among bishops. Moreover, it is accountable to both councils: local, bishops'. He should take care not only of the internal, but also of the external well-being of the Russian church and manage it together with the synod, holding the post of its chairman.
The duties of the patriarch as head of the Church include the following:
- He must convene the local and bishops' councils, being their chairman.
- It bears responsibility for the implementation of decisions made on them.
- He is a representative of the church in all its relations with the outside world, namely with other churches and with secular authorities.
- It maintains the unity of the church hierarchy, together with the synod, issuing decrees on the appointment and election of bishops in the diocese and controlling their activities.
Among the duties of the patriarch is such as the consecration of churches and speeches to believers. So, for example, on November 1, 2015, which fell on the 22nd week after Pentecost, the current Patriarch Kirill became the blesser of the Church of the Beheading of John the Baptist. It is part of the Chernihiv Compound of Moscow complex, which in 2015 turned 600 years old. Also, the patriarch in the Church of the Beheading of John the Baptist held a service.
Attributes of the post
The Charter of the Russian Orthodox Church provides for emphasizing the status of the head of the Russian Church with signs that distinguish patriarchal dignity. Some of them are:
- Cockle (head cover) of white color.
- Two panagias (the image of the Virgin, having a round shape).
- Green colored mantle.
- Big Paraman (addition to the mantle).
- Ancestral cross (worn in front of the patriarch).
- Patriarchal standard (introduced at the time of Alexy II).
The patriarch is the ruling bishop, called the diocesan bishop, heading the diocese of Moscow and the region. He is also a holy archimandrite who administers the Holy Trinity Sergius Lavra and church stavropigias.
Stavropigia is a church status that is assigned to laurels, monasteries, brotherhoods, theological schools, and cathedrals. He makes them independent of the local authorities of the diocese. They report directly to the patriarch or synod. In a literal translation, the word "stavropigia" - "the erection of the cross." This name indicates that in monasteries belonging to the stavropegal, the patriarchs raised a cross with their own hands. This status is the highest.
The official residence of the patriarch together with the synod is Danilov Monastery, located in Moscow, on Danilovsky Val. Since 1943, the working residence is also located in Moscow, in Chisty Lane. There is another place where the patriarch periodically is located - this is a summer residence located in Novo-Peredelkina, on the 7th Lazenki Street, which is located in Moscow, in the Western District.