Those who are just beginning to church and go to church services, over time, begin to overcome various issues. An inquisitive person will surely find all the answers to them. And here is an example of one of the many questions: “The cleric of the temple - who is this?” Let's try to deal with him in detail.
So what does the cleric of the temple mean? Translated from Greek, the word "clergy" means "lot" - a share or inheritance inherited by lot. In the Holy Scriptures (Acts 1: 17-25) you can find church ministry by lot, which means that even then there were special divisions of members of the Church into clergy and clergy. These people differed from ordinary laity in that they were to perform church services.
Who is the cleric of the temple?
Clerics have church degrees - higher and lower. The former are divided into hierarchical categories and have the right to perform church ordinances. Priests are the highest clergy who receive the grace of the priesthood at the altar through ordination — ordination (consecration to the priesthood), and they form the priesthood. These include the hierarchical degrees of the bishop, presbyter and deacon.
The lower clergy are readers, ringleaders, sextonists, singers, etc., they are appointed to their ministry through ordination - the laying on of the episcopal hand in the church outside the altar. During the service, these people serve in the temple. The lowest rank is called clergy or priestesses to the clergy. This implies various official positions that are not endowed with spiritual authority in the Church of Christ and, according to the rules of the ancient Church, involve preparation for the beginning of the priesthood. The appointment to the service takes place with the blessing of the bishop and is not one of the sacraments.
Church ranks
It is also worth noting a very important detail. This will provide a complete answer to the question: the cleric of the temple - who is this? There are three priestly ranks: the first is episcopal (bishop's), the second is presbytery (priestly) and the third is deacon's.
And here I must say that in the broad sense, the word "cleric" means any spiritual person who, according to the rules of the Church, is dedicated to serving her. That is, all those who perform and help to worship.
At the same time, no matter who takes church ranks, entry into the kingdom of heaven for everyone remains equal in their capabilities. However, the Church is the Body, and, as in any living organism, each member fulfills its purpose. The Lord Himself put the prophets and apostles into the work of some, the others — the Evangelists and teachers, so that they would create the body of Christ, while everyone else knows the Son of God and comes to the unity of faith. So that there would be no hesitating and fond of all sorts of false creeds from crafty and cunning people, and that by their true love they would accept into their souls who is the head of everything - God Jesus Christ.
Church members
Members of the Church are divided into two categories, the first of which consists of those called by the Holy Spirit to worship: to teach the Sacraments, to preach, to take care of the external structure of monasteries and temples. This is the clergy. The laymen belong to another category. With the blessing of the clergy, they participate in church life outside the church, with their prayers in worship, in the election of clergy in church administration, etc.
In continuation of the topic “The cleric of the temple - who is this?” It is worth adding that the Eastern Patriarchs wrote on May 6, 1848, in the District Epistle that the guardians of piety are the very Body of the Church, which is the people themselves, thereby expressing one of the basic truths of Orthodox teaching , unlike the Catholic faith, in which the Body of the Church has divisions not accepted by Orthodoxy into two churches: the student and the student.
The nomination of candidates for the holy clerical ranks consists of two acts - election and consecration. The election involves bishops, clergy, and laity.
The appointment to church and public service and the adoption of a person in the clergy goes through initiation. This person is vested with certain powers in the received position and special grace to help.
Clerics Responsibilities
On clerics, besides duties, a high degree of morality and decent behavior is imposed. They should not engage in trade, gamble or drink. They are also unacceptable to serve in the army and hold public office. In the case of widowhood, it is forbidden to marry a second time. Any entrepreneurial activity and activities related to the shedding of animal or human blood are not encouraged - this is hunting and medical practice (in particular, surgery).
Conclusion
In Byzantium, a person lost many civil rights for voluntary dignity, and according to the rules of the Council of Chalcedon he could even be anathematized. In Russia in the 19th century, this was permitted only when the priest became a young widower. In this case, he could go to work in the civil service, however, after a certain time - 6 years with the rank of deacon and after 10 years with the rank of presbyter.