§ 63. The Relation Among the Members of the Hierarchy

The relation among the members of the hierarchy on different degrees is determined by the degree itself on which each stands: the higher the degree, the greater the right of precedence; the lower it is, the greater the subordination of those concerned. The oldest degree is the episcopal; after it comes the presbyteral, then the diaconal, and then the degrees of church-servants. To the bishop are subject the members of the clergy of all the other degrees; to the presbyter are subject deacons and all church-servants; the deacon has precedence only over these last. ‘Let presbyters and deacons undertake nothing without the consent of the bishop, for it is he who must give account concerning the people of the Lord and concerning their souls.’[1] By this canon is expressed the fundamental thought of church legislation concerning hierarchical authority over all members of the clergy, who are all, without distinction of order, dependent on episcopal power.

The subordination of the presbyter to the bishop consists in this: that he receives his rank from the bishop, and from him alone, nor has he the right to leave the place of service entrusted to him by the bishop and to withdraw from under his authority, passing into another eparchy without the bishop’s consent.[2] A presbyter may not separate himself from his own bishop and, thus separated, celebrate the holy service and gather separate religious assemblies;[3] likewise, in every matter of his office concerning which he has some doubt, he may not act on his own authority, but must turn to the bishop for guidance.[4] Finally, the precedence of the presbyter over the lower members of the clergy is likewise conditioned by episcopal authority.[5] The subordination of the deacon to the presbyter is likewise determined by the canons, which ordain that deacons must acknowledge the precedence of presbyters, knowing that they are lower than presbyters;[6] the subordination of church-servants to deacons is likewise determined by the canons.[7]

As regards the relation among members of the hierarchy on equal degrees, precedence is determined solely and exclusively by the time when a given person was ordained to a degree, or was promoted to some church dignity. So that no dispute might arise on this point as to who is younger and who is older, the canons ordain that special charters must be issued to those concerned, stating the day on which each was appointed to which degree.[8] This holds for members of the clergy from the presbyteral degree downward; and the canons ordain the same as regards bishops.[9] The offices which some members of the clergy, from the presbyteral degree downward, may hold in the administration of the Church give those persons no precedence of honor at the sacred services over others who are on the same degree, for, in the words of canon 7 of the Council in Trullo, ‘spiritual dignities are far more exalted than worldly ones’;[10] and lest by these latter be understood, for example, even imperial power, the commentators explain that here are to be understood dignities, or offices, which concern only church administration.[11] Accordingly, on equal degrees, whether of the sacred or of the administrative hierarchy, whoever has received a degree by cheirotonia or by cheirothesia, precedence is decided by the time when he was ordained or promoted, without any regard to whether he holds this or that office in church administration.[12] Concerning questions of precedence between secular clergy and monastic clergy on equal degrees of the sacred hierarchy, the canons say nothing.

CHAPTER TWO. Entering the Hierarchy.

I. THE UPBRINGING AND SCHOLARLY PREPARATION OF CLERICS.