In the broadest sense, the vicar is a substitute, from the Latin word "vicarius". In the Christian Orthodox and Catholic churches, he has different powers and duties as a spiritual person. This church position involves the duties of assistant or deputy church administrator. He does not have his own diocese. The Christian Orthodox Church specifically establishes this position so that he can assist the bishop in managing his diocese.
Meaning of the word
In various explanatory dictionaries, the meaning of the word "vicar" is explained in approximately the same way:
- According to Ephraim. Deputy or assistant bishop who runs the diocese in the Orthodox Church and has the rank of bishop. In the Catholic Church, he is defined as assistant parish priest or bishop.
- According to Ozhegov. In the Protestant church - an assistant priest, in the Orthodox - assistant bishop. A vicar is a bishop without a diocese.
- According to Ushakov. The vicar is interpreted as a bishop subordinate to the diocesan bishop in the Orthodox Church. In Catholic, an assistant parish priest or bishop.
- By Dahl. Vicar - assistant, governor, comrade. An official of the highest rank.
- Encyclopedic Dictionary. The meaning of the word “vicar” is interpreted as “viceroy” or “deputy”. In the Protestant community, it is considered an assistant priest, in the Orthodox Church, a deputy bishop.
Story
The Vicar is a designation that has been specifically applied to officials since the time of the Roman Empire. Even during the reign of Constantine the Great, it was divided into four huge administrative districts - the prefecture. They were divided into smaller administrative units - dioceses. Management was carried out as follows: the prefect controlled the prefect, and the diocese - the vicar, who was directly subordinate to the prefect.
The vicars were appointed by the emperor, and within their diocese they had power to control the actions of the provincial rulers. But they did not have the right to remove the latter from power.
If the prefect himself was in the diocese, the vicar lost his power. In fact, he was an authorized person from the prefect.
Vicar in the church
In the church, the position of vicar is of the same nature. He replaces the clergyman during his absence, and under him plays the role of assistant.
The Roman Catholic Church defines the vicar bishop as an assistant to the diocesan bishop. At the suggestion of the diocesan bishop, he is appointed pope. His responsibilities include assisting in the exercise of his right to bishopric priesthood.
Vicar
In the Orthodox Church, a vicar is a bishop who does not have his own diocese. He is also called this: vicar bishop or vicar bishop. He is charged with assisting the ruling diocesan bishop in administering the diocese.
Under certain conditions, he may be entrusted, within certain limits, with the administration of a part of the diocese - vicariate, or vicariate. The ruling bishop bears the title according to his place of residence and territory. The assistant bishop, under his canonical jurisdiction, may be endowed with the following title:
- by the name of the vicariate given to him by the administration;
- by the name of the city standing on the territory of the diocese in which the vicar is (but is not a prerequisite) or is holding a service;
- by the name of the previously abolished department, which is not related to the diocese or the area where it actually serves.
In the Roman Catholic Church, the vicar is a bishop of sufragan (from the medieval Latin "suffragium" - "help", "support"), appointed to help the cleric chapel.
Vicar General
The vicar general has a completely different definition. He is an assistant to the bishop, but in the area of his government rights. According to the canons of the church, the bishop has the authority and responsibility to personally administer the diocese without outside help.
The pope can forcibly appoint a general vicar only if the bishop has insufficient knowledge of canon law, or with a large diocese.
For appointment, the applicant is presented with a number of requirements, without which he cannot occupy this church position. He is required to have a degree in law or a doctor of canon law, theology. Understand jurisprudence, belong to the clergy, while the degree of spiritual dignity is not taken into account.
Both positions are considered as one legal entity. If the actions of the general vicar are appealed, then the paper is sent not to the bishop, but to the archbishop, as to a higher authority. The same principle of unity applies if the bishop makes a decision or commits any government act. At the same time, there is no legal vicar general.
The option of separation of powers is possible, when administrative cases are assigned to the vicar, and the judicial ones are administered by another assistant - the official. Legally, they have equal rights.
Upon termination of the rights of the bishop, the rights of the vicar general shall automatically terminate.