How Christ's Church is Organized

I would now like to explain how the Orthodox Church is organized. The Church has a hierarchy, which means an order of leadership, but it is not like a worldly chain of command. It is a family of service, rooted in the example of Christ, who said, “Whoever would be great among you must be your servant” (Matthew 20:26).

Christ is the Head of the Church. The most important truth is that Jesus Himself is the true head of the Church. “Christ is the head of the Church, His body, and is Himself its Savior” (Ephesians 5:23). All leaders in the Church serve under Him.

The Apostles appointed bishops to guide the Church. In the New Testament, we see that the Apostles established overseers (episkopoi, meaning bishops) to care for the local churches. Paul told Titus: “Appoint elders in every town ... for a bishop must be blameless as God’s steward” (Titus 1:5–7). Bishops continue the ministry of the Apostles by guarding the faith and leading the Church in truth.

Patriarchs are senior bishops. In Orthodox history, certain ancient cities became important centers of Christianity, such as Jerusalem, Antioch, Alexandria, Constantinople, and later Moscow. The bishops of these places are called patriarchs. Their role is to guide and care for many churches, but not as rulers—rather as fathers among fathers.

Priests serve under the bishops. Priests (also called presbyters) are appointed by the bishop to serve local parishes. In the New Testament, Paul and Barnabas “appointed elders for them in every church” (Acts 14:23). Priests lead worship, celebrate the sacraments, preach, and pastor the faithful, always in unity with their bishop.

Deacons serve the Church through ministry. The book of Acts tells how the Apostles appointed seven deacons to care for the needs of the community (Acts 6:3–6). Deacons assist in the services, help with charity, and support the work of the bishop and priests. Their ministry is one of service, following the example of Christ the Servant.

The faithful are also part of the royal priesthood. While bishops, priests, and deacons have special roles, every believer is part of the Church’s life. Saint Peter writes: “You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation” (1 Peter 2:9). The hierarchy exists not to elevate some above others, but to guide and serve the whole Body of Christ.

The Orthodox Church is ordered in a way that continues the pattern of the New Testament. Bishops, priests, and deacons serve the people of God, and together with all the faithful, the Church is one family under Christ, who is our true Head.

With love in Christ,
Fr. Charles

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