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 ...
The importance of the Bishop is ecclessiastical organization and church structure. I was not aware of that specific teaching/doctrine until now. So far, the confession of the Orthodox Faith has been about the people of God gathering together as the body of Christ. The Bishop is our shepherd and responsible for the Diocese.
Last edited by Gnostophorrion; 7th November 2009 at 03:07 PM.
We are supposed to see Christ / God in all people and especially in the Bishop performing the holy Eucharist. I know at times when the Priest (who generally officiate at the Eucharist in most churches now) gives me the most pure body and precious blood I really get the feeling that it is Christ holding the spoon and offering it to me.
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"Only love overcomes the fragmentation of human nature."
St Maximus the Confessor
"Those who are held by the bonds of hell, in seeing your bounty, go towards the light, O Christ, on joyous feet, praising the eternal Pascha"
It's basically saying that you should respect and follow the direction of your bishop. AKA, there should be a level of obedience given to the people who are responsible for you. But, as with all humans, people can fail. If your bishop was telling you to do something against God's will, you shouldn't do it! It's a strongly worded direction to follow spiritual direction.
Alright so Bishops should be seen as equal with God and not mere men sinners like you or I?
No, it DOES NOT say that. Bishops are men. They are sinners, just like you and I. Yes, they do have the grace of the Apostolic Succession, but that does not prevent them from sinning. They are not gods in any sense of the word.
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Alright so Bishops should be seen as equal with God and not mere men sinners like you or I?
Thats not at all what I said. I mean, it's so far OFF from what I said that it seems you didn't even WANT to hear what I said.
"But, as with all humans, people can fail. "
Bishops are sinners. They have also received ordination and chosen to be bishops. We believe that the sacraments are means of God's grace, which means that bishops have been given grace to serve as our spiritual fathers. Bishops can still sin and make mistakes--but with regards to their direction over their spiritual flock, one should obey their direction, unless doing so would go against God's will, b/c they have been given that role by God, and they are responsible for your salvation.
Alright so Bishops should be seen as equal with God
No, Bishops are not equal to God. If Orthodox thought that how would you explain the fact that Bishops have even been anathmatized as heretics?
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"Only love overcomes the fragmentation of human nature."
St Maximus the Confessor
"Those who are held by the bonds of hell, in seeing your bounty, go towards the light, O Christ, on joyous feet, praising the eternal Pascha"
No, Bishops are not equal to God. If Orthodox thought that how would you explain the fact that Bishops have even been anathmatized as heretics?
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 ...
As i understand they stand in the the way of the Apostles ...
If Paul for example were on earth it would be my job to be obedient and respectful and to follow his example in Christ but it would be heresy for me to treat him as if he were Christ next to God my god or my king ect ...
But what is confusing to me is the qoute i posted came from the apostolic constitutions and was presented as the orthodox view
im not here to fight its just that i am getting confusing info ..and i am really trying to sort it out
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