Lecture 7: Ordination and Selection of Bishops (Priests) Dr. Ann T. Orlando 17 March 2017

Outline Meaning of ‘ordination’ Selection of Bishops Clerical and Popular acclaim Recognition and ordination by other bishops Aversion to being a bishop Gregory Nazianzus How Augustine became bishop of Hippo Assignments

Greek cheirotoneo Laying (or raising) of hands In antiquity could be used to indicate a vote of approval, or to symbolize a transfer of power In LXX Lev 16:21 Aaron places his hand on the sacrificial goat that will carry the sins of the people on Day of Atonement Dt 34:9, Moses laid his hands on Joshua to transfer power to him; note reference to the Spirit of wisdom coming on Joshua

Cheirotoneo in New Testament In Acts 6:1-6 ministry of deacons established by laying on of hands, power of Holy Spirit 13:1-3 Paul and Barnabas are commissioned for their ministry by the laying on of hands, power of Holy Spirit In Pastorals I Tm 4:14, office and gift of prophecy 2 Tm 1:6, office and spirit of power

Examples Tertullian, On Baptism 8, describes laying on of hands by bishop to confer the Holy Spirit at baptism Hippolytus, Apostolic Tradition: Comparison of Greek and Latin manuscripts for the laying on of hands(Greek)/ordination (Latin) of bishops See Apostolic Constitutions

Latin ordinatio Meaning to become a member of an ordo An ordo is a Roman social rank; each rank has obligations, privileges and ordinances governing it Senators, equestrians, decurians, military veterans Plebeians, free foreigners, slaves Constantine the Great makes bishops a Roman order

Distinction of Ranks (Orders) in the Early Church I Clement 40-44; The laity are bound by the ordinances of the laity (laikos) Rank (tagma) Written in Greek, but with a Roman legal environment Tertullian, On Baptism 17 Laicis do not have the privilege of baptizing, which belongs to the higher rank of bishop

Process for Selection of Bishops Bishops are chosen from ranks of the Christian faithful NOT hereditary (see Origen Homily on Numbers 13) In early Church in some places Selected by council of elders (presbyterate) ‘Elected’ by the faithful Combination Bishop is ordained by laying on of hands of other bishops, not by community Presbyters seem to have been suggested by community of believers, but selected and ordained by bishops By 4th C in many places, being ordained presbyter was often with the expectation of becoming a bishop

Aversion to Being a Bishop Develops especially in 4th C Contemplative life seen as much preferable With Constantine the Great, bishops take on increased secular administrative roles Community of faithful increasingly a mixed group Political advantages to being a Christian (Orthodox or Arian)

Gregory Nazianzus, 329-361 Knew Athanasius as a young man; wrote a funeral oration for Athanasius Very close friend of Basil; studied in Athens with him Great rhetorician and poet As young men, Gregory and Basil go to Pontus to study in a monastery Gregory returns to Nazianzus where his father is bishop Father ordains him presbyter in 361 Expectation is that Gregory will become bishop when his father dies But Gregory feels unworthy and flees back to Pontus

On Flight (Oration 2) Gregory encouraged to return to his ‘station’ by his father and Basil Upon his return to Nazianzus (362), Gregory was met with displeasure and disappointment from by the community To try and explain his action, he offered this oration Part defense Part apology This Oration will be foundational for later works on qualifications and duties of priesthood Gregory also wrote a funeral oration for his father, who died soon after his return

Gregory in later life The rest of the story: Gregory named Patriarch of Constantinople 380 Presided at Second Ecumenical Council, 381. Died Sermons on Christology and Trinity very influential St. Jerome was his disciple in Constantinople Known as ‘The Theologian’ Gregory died in 389, we celebrate his feast jointly with St Basil on Jan 2

Augustine Also did not want to be a bishop Possidius in his Life of Augustine, gives an account of Community selection of Augustine for presbyter and his ordination by Valerius Valerius petition to bishop of Carthage make Augustine coadjutor bishop of Hippo

Gregory of Nyssa, d. 385 Younger brother of Basil and Macrina Married (perhaps to sister of Gregory Nazianzus??) May have been bishop of Nyssa; wrote catechetical instructions Philosophically very influenced by Origen and NeoPlatonism Also very deeply influenced by his sister, Macrina Life of Macrina Macrina as The Teacher in On the Resurrection

On Baptism of the Lord Epiphany celebrated in East as the Baptism of the Lord Festival of Light Manifestation of Christ to he World Epiphany very important in Church liturgical calendar Presentation of those to be baptized at Easter vigil Bishop presents the annual liturgical calendar (Festal Letter) Nyssa’s homily notes important changes through sacramental actions Including change in a man at ordination

Assignments Origen, Homilies on Numbers, Homily 13 Cyprian, “Letter 55 and 67” Constitutions of the Holy Apostles VIII.ii-v, xxvii-xxviii Possidius, Life of Augustine, Ch. 4-8 Augustine, Letter 21 “To Bishop Valerius” Gregory Nazianzus, Oration 2: On Flight ADDED: Gregory of Nyssa, On Baptism of the Lord Prepare paper #7