I'm afraid I don't know much about the Apostolic Constitutions other then what I just read here at wikipedia. Maybe someone else who knows more about them can answer?
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The problem is that there's nothing in what you posted that even intimates that Bishops are god. So why do you keep thinking that it does? I'd like to understand what you're reading that says bishops are god.
Well that is the issue Some orthodox do seem to place Bishops in an equal standing with God AT least that is the information provided by literature that is sanctioned by certain Bishops ...
What literature? Are you certain that you're not putting biases into what you're reading? B/c I, reading what you supplied and coming from an Orthodox understanding of the role of bishops, have no problems with it, and didnt think for even a second that it would make any claim for bishops being gods.
Well that is the issue Some orthodox do seem to place Bishops in an equal standing with God AT least that is the information provided by literature that is sanctioned by certain Bishops ...
I can't imagine where/how you are coming up with that understanding. NO ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN equates ANY Bishop, Priest, Patriarch, Deacon, Monastic, Spiritual Father, Layman (have I left anybody out?) with God! Heaven forbid!
Is that clear enough?
Mary
__________________ Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing Life!
What literature? Are you certain that you're not putting biases into what you're reading? B/c I, reading what you supplied and coming from an Orthodox understanding of the role of bishops, have no problems with it, and didnt think for even a second that it would make any claim for bishops being gods.
Since you have no problem with what what is said in that qoute then you and I will have no further discussion on the matter ...
nikolai, you also have to understand that most Orthodox writings, and especially texts from 2000 years ago have all been translated into English... Oftentimes the translation is not very accurate.
When the text says "worship" it's a mistranslation, I've seen some texts say we should "worship" the Saints and "venerate" God, and that veneration is only due to God... However the text that translated that way was not very accurate. In English it would be more proper to say we should "venerate" the Saints and only worship God.
As I said, if you see something fishy in an absolutely canonical and Orthodox text, keep in mind that they have been translated, sometimes poorly...
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the Anglican churches, bishops claim Apostolic succession, a direct historical lineage dating back to the original Twelve Apostles. Within these churches, bishops can ordain clergy including other bishops. Some Protestant churches including the Lutheran and Methodist churches have bishops serving similar functions as well, though not always understood to be within Apostolic succession in the same sense. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints also has bishops, who serve as spiritual leaders of local congregations (wards). Bishops are of a higher rank than priests.
The office of bishop was already quite distinct from that of priest in the writings of Ignatius of Antioch (died c. 107), and by the middle of the second century all the chief centres of Christianity were headed by bishops, a form of organization that remained universal until the Protestant Reformation.
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Originally Posted by nikolai nikolas
On GOARCH's website i was reading about the importance of Bishops in the EOC ..I came across the qoute taken directly from the Apostolic Constitutions
"The Bishop, he is the minister of the word, the guardian of knowledge, the mediator between God and you in your worship of Him. He is the teacher of piety; and, next after God, he is your Father...; he is your ruler and governor; he is your king and potentate; he is, next after God, your earthly god, who ought to enjoy honor from you...; for let the Bishop preside over you as one honored with the dignity of God, which he is to exercise over the clergy, and by which he is to govern all the people." 24.
Is this what the orthodox teaches? ,,that after God the Bishop should be your god ,,,your ruler your governor your king ...?
I am NOT attacking orthodoxy as a matter of fact i am considering becoming a member but this troubles and i want to know if this is what Orthodoxy truely teaches ..
Please don't say Ask a Priest I have and was not given a response ...
Please provide the link to the material you are referencing. No one here should have to try to explain some reference without first being able to see it themselves.
__________________ Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. (Philippians 4:8)
nikolai, you also have to understand that most Orthodox writings, and especially texts from 2000 years ago have all been translated into English... Oftentimes the translation is not very accurate.
When the text says "worship" it's a mistranslation, I've seen some texts say we should "worship" the Saints and "venerate" God, and that veneration is only due to God... However the text that translated that way was not very accurate. In English it would be more proper to say we should "venerate" the Saints and only worship God.
As I said, if you see something fishy in an absolutely canonical and Orthodox text, keep in mind that they have been translated, sometimes poorly...
Please provide the link to the material you are referencing. No one here should have to try to explain some reference without first being able to see it themselves.
The qoute itself is not the issue the question was regarding whether the church believed this or not ..
We are not in court of law here this is a simple enquiry regarding the belief of the church .
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