Priests of the Russian Orthodox Church hierarchy. Orthodox church hierarchy, ranks and titles in the Russian Orthodox Church

I read that the Patriarch of Constantinople is the main one among the Orthodox. How so? He has almost no flock, because mostly Muslims live in Istanbul. And in general, how does everything work in our church? Who is more important than whom?

S. Petrov, Kazan

In total there are 15 autocephalous (independent - Ed.) Orthodox churches.

Constantinople

Her status as Orthodox Church No. 1 was determined in 1054, when the Patriarch of Constantinople trampled the bread prepared according to Western custom. This became the reason for the split of the Christian Church into Orthodox and Catholic. The throne of Constantinople was the first Orthodox, and its special significance is not disputed. Although the flock of the current Patriarch of Constantinople, who bears the proud title of Patriarch of New Rome and Ecumenical, is small.

Alexandria

According to church tradition, the Alexandria Church was founded by the holy Apostle Mark. The second of the four oldest Orthodox patriarchates. Canonical territory - Africa. In the 3rd century. It was there that monasticism first appeared.

Antioch

The third in seniority, founded, according to legend, by Peter and Paul around 37. Jurisdiction: Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Kuwait, UAE, Bahrain, Oman, also Arab parishes in Europe, Northern and South America, Australia.

Jerusalem

The oldest church, occupying 4th place in the autocephalous churches. It has the name of the mother of all churches, because it was on her territory that everything took place major events described in the New Testament. Its first bishop was the Apostle James, the brother of the Lord.

Russian

Not being the oldest, upon its establishment it immediately received an honorable fifth place among churches. The largest and most influential autocephalous Orthodox Church.

Georgian

One of ancient churches in the world. According to legend, Georgia is the apostolic lot Mother of God.

Serbian

The first mass baptism of Serbs took place during Byzantine emperor Heraclius (610-641).

Romanian

Has jurisdiction on the territory of Romania. Has state status: Salaries of the clergy are paid from the state treasury.

Bulgarian

In Bulgaria, Christianity began to spread already in the 1st century. In 865, under St. Prince Boris, the general baptism of the Bulgarian people takes place.

Cyprus

10th place among autocephalous local churches.
One of the oldest local churches in the East. Founded by the Apostle Barnabas in 47.
In the 7th century fell under the Arab yoke, from which it was completely freed only in 965.

Helladic (Greek)

Historically, the Orthodox population of what is now Greece was within the jurisdiction of the Orthodox Church of Constantinople. Autocephaly was proclaimed in 1833. The king was named the head of the church. Has state status.

Albanian

The bulk of the congregation lives in the southern regions of Albania (Islam predominates in the center and north). Founded in the 10th century. as part of Constantinople, but then gained independence in 1937.

Polish

IN modern form was established in 1948. Before that, for a long time, 80% of the church’s believers were Ukrainians, Belarusians and Rusyns.

Czech lands and Slovakia

Founded on the territory of the Great Moravian Principality in 863 through the labors of saints Equal-to-the-Apostles Cyril and Methodius. 14th place among churches.

American

It is not recognized by Constantinople, as well as a number of other churches. The origin goes back to the creation in 1794 by the monks of the Valaam Monastery of the Transfiguration of the Savior of the first Orthodox mission in America. American Orthodox believe that St. Herman of Alaska is their apostle.

everything about the orders of priests, the orders of the Russian Orthodox Church and their vestments

Following the example of the Old Testament church, where there were a high priest, priests and Levites, the holy Apostles established in the New Testament Christian Church three degrees of priesthood: bishops, presbyters (i.e. priests) and deacons. All of them are called clergy, because through the sacrament of the priesthood they receive the grace of the Holy Spirit for the sacred service of the Church of Christ; perform worship, teach people Christian faith and good life (piety) and manage church affairs.

Bishops make up highest rank in the Church. They receive the highest degree of grace. Bishops are also called bishops, i.e., the heads of the priests (priests). Bishops can perform all Sacraments and all church services. This means that bishops have the right not only to perform ordinary Divine services, but also to ordain (ordain) clergy, as well as to consecrate chrism and antimensions, which is not given to priests.

According to the degree of priesthood, all bishops are equal to each other, but the oldest and most honored of the bishops are called archbishops, while the capital bishops are called metropolitans, since the capital is called metropolis in Greek. Bishops of ancient capitals, such as: Jerusalem, Constantinople (Constantinople), Rome, Alexandria, Antioch, and from the 16th century the Russian capital of Moscow, are called patriarchs. From 1721 to 1917, the Russian Orthodox Church was governed by the Holy Synod. In 1917, the Holy Council meeting in Moscow elected again the “Holy Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia” to govern the Russian Orthodox Church.

Metropolitans

To help a bishop, another bishop is sometimes given, who, in this case, is called vicar, i.e., viceroy. Exarch- the title of the head of a separate church district. Currently, there is only one exarch - the Metropolitan of Minsk and Zaslavl, who governs the Belarusian Exarchate.

Priests, and in Greek priests or elders, constitute the second sacred rank after the bishop. Priests can perform, with the blessing of the bishop, all the sacraments and church services, except for those that are supposed to be performed only by the bishop, that is, except for the sacrament of the priesthood and the consecration of the world and antimensions.

A Christian community under the jurisdiction of a priest is called his parish.
More worthy and honored priests are given the title archpriest, i.e. the main priest, or the leading priest, and the main one between them is the title protopresbyter.
If the priest is at the same time a monk (black priesthood), then he is called hieromonk, i.e., a priestly monk.

In monasteries there are up to six degrees of preparation for the angelic image:
Worker / worker— lives and works in a monastery, but has not yet chosen the monastic path.
Novice / Novice- a laborer who has completed obedience in a monastery and has received the blessing of wearing a cassock and a skufa (for women an apostle). At the same time, the novice retains his worldly name. A seminarian or parish sexton is accepted into the monastery as a novice.
Rassophore novice / Rassophore novice- a novice who is blessed to wear some monastic clothes (for example, a cassock, kamilavka (sometimes hood) and rosary). Rassophore or monastic tonsure (monk/nun) - symbolic (as at baptism) cutting hair and giving a new name in honor of the new one heavenly patron, is blessed to wear a cassock, a kamilavka (sometimes a hood) and a rosary.
Robe or monastic tonsure or small angelic image or small schema ( monk/nun) - vows of obedience and renunciation from the world are given, hair is symbolically cut, the name of the heavenly patron is changed and monastic clothes are blessed: hair shirt, cassock, slippers, paraman cross, rosary, belt (sometimes leather belt), cassock, hood, mantle, apostle.
Schima or great schema or great angelic image ( schema-monk, schema-monk / schema-nun, schema-nun) - the same vows are given again, the hair is symbolically cut, the name of the heavenly patron is changed and clothes are added: analav and a kokol instead of a hood.

Monk

Schimonakh

Hieromonks, upon appointment by their abbots of monasteries, and sometimes independently of this, as an honorary distinction, are given the title abbot or higher rank archimandrite. Especially worthy of the archimandrites are elected to bishops.

Hegumen Roman (Zagrebnev)

Archimandrite John (Krastyankin)

Deacons (Deacons) constitute the third, lowest, sacred rank. "Deacon" is a Greek word and means: servant. Deacons serve the bishop or priest during Divine services and the celebration of the sacraments, but cannot perform them themselves.

The participation of a deacon in the Divine service is not necessary, and therefore in many churches the service takes place without a deacon.
Some deacons are awarded the title protodeacon, i.e., chief deacon.
A monk who has received the rank of deacon is called hierodeacon, and the senior hierodeacon - archdeacon.
In addition to the three sacred ranks, there are also lower official positions in the Church: subdeacons, psalm-readers (sacristans) and sextons. They, being among the clergy, are appointed to their positions not through the sacrament of the Priesthood, but only with the blessing of the bishop.
Psalmists have the duty to read and sing, both during divine services in the church on the choir, and when the priest performs spiritual needs in the homes of parishioners.

Acolyte

Sexton have the duty to convene believers to Divine services ringing bells, light candles in the temple, serve censer, help psalm-readers in reading and singing, and so on.

Sexton

Subdeacons participate only in the episcopal service. They dress the bishop in sacred clothes, hold lamps (trikiri and dikiri) and present them to the bishop to bless those praying with them.

Subdeacons

Priests, in order to perform Divine services, must put on special sacred clothes. Sacred robes made of brocade or any other suitable material and decorated with crosses. The deacon's vestments consist of: surplice, orarion and bridles.

Surplice There are long clothes without a slit in the front and back, with an opening for the head and wide sleeves. The surplice is also required for subdeacons. The right to wear the surplice can be given to psalm-readers and laymen serving in the church. The surplice signifies the purity of the soul that persons of holy orders must have.

Orar there is a long wide ribbon made of the same material as the surplice. It is worn by the deacon on his left shoulder, above the surplice. The Orarium signifies the grace of God that the deacon received in the sacrament of the Priesthood.
Narrow sleeves that are fastened with laces are called handguards. The instructions remind clergy that when they perform the sacraments or participate in the celebration of the sacraments of the faith of Christ, they do not do so on our own, but by the power and grace of God. The guards also resemble the bonds (ropes) on the hands of the Savior during His suffering.

The vestments of a priest consist of: a vestment, an epitrachelion, a belt, armbands and a phelonion (or chasuble).

The surplice is a surplice in a slightly modified form. It differs from the surplice in that it is made of thin white material, and its sleeves are narrow with laces at the ends, with which they are tightened on the arms. The white color of the sacristan reminds the priest that he must always have a pure soul and lead an immaculate life. In addition, the cassock also resembles the tunic (underwear) in which our Lord Jesus Christ Himself walked on earth and in which He accomplished the work of our salvation.

The epitrachelion is the same orarion, but only folded in half so that, going around the neck, it descends from the front downwards with two ends, which for convenience are sewn or somehow connected to each other. The epitrachelion signifies the special, double grace compared to the deacon, given to the priest for performing the sacraments. Without an epitrachelion, a priest cannot perform a single service, just as a deacon cannot perform a single service without an orarion.

The belt is worn over the epitrachelion and cassock and signifies readiness to serve the Lord. The belt also signifies Divine power, which strengthens the clergy in carrying out their ministry. The belt also resembles the towel with which the Savior girded when washing the feet of His disciples at the Secret

The chasuble, or phelonion, is worn by the priest on top of other clothes. This clothing is long, wide, sleeveless, with an opening for the head at the top and a large cutout in the front for free action of the arms. In its appearance, the robe resembles the scarlet robe in which the suffering Savior was clothed. The ribbons sewn on the robe resemble the streams of blood that flowed through His clothes. At the same time, the robe also reminds the priests of the garment of righteousness in which they must be clothed as servants of Christ.

On top of the chasuble, on the priest’s chest, is a pectoral cross.

For diligent, long-term service, priests are given a legguard, that is, a quadrangular cloth hung on a ribbon over the shoulder and two corners on the right hip, meaning a spiritual sword, as well as head ornaments - skufya and kamilavka.

Kamilavka.

The bishop (bishop) puts on all the clothes of a priest: a vestment, epitrachelion, belt, armlets, only his chasuble is replaced by a sakkos, and his loincloth by a club. In addition, the bishop puts on an omophorion and a miter.

Sakkos - outerwear bishop, similar to shortened at the bottom and in the sleeves deacon's surplice, so that from under the bishop’s sakkos both the cassock and the epitrachelion are visible. Sakkos, like the priest’s robe, symbolizes the Savior’s purple robe.

The club is a quadrangular board hung at one corner, above the sakkos on the right thigh. As a reward for excellent and diligent service, the right to wear a club is sometimes received from the ruling bishop and honored archpriests, who also wear it with right side, and the legguard in this case is placed on the left. For archimandrites, as well as for bishops, the club serves as a necessary accessory to their vestments. The club, like the legguard, means the spiritual sword, that is, the word of God, with which clergy must be armed to fight unbelief and wickedness.

On the shoulders, above the sakkos, bishops wear an omophorion. Omophorion there is a long wide ribbon-shaped board decorated with crosses. It is placed on the bishop's shoulders so that, encircling the neck, one end descends in front and the other behind. Omophorion is a Greek word and means shoulder pad. The omophorion belongs exclusively to bishops. Without an omophorion, a bishop, like a priest without an epitrachelion, cannot perform any service. The omophorion reminds the bishop that he must take care of the salvation of the lost, like the good shepherd of the Gospel, who, having found the lost sheep, carries it home on his shoulders.

On his chest, on top of the sakkos, in addition to the cross, the bishop also has a panagia, which means “All Holy One.” This is a small round image of the Savior or the Mother of God, decorated with colored stones.

A miter decorated with small images and colored stones is placed on the bishop's head. Mithra marks crown of thorns, which was placed on the head of the suffering Savior. Archimandrites also have a miter. In exceptional cases, the ruling bishop gives the right to the most honored archpriests to wear a miter instead of a kamilavka during divine services.

During Divine services, bishops use a rod or staff as a sign of supreme pastoral authority. The staff is also given to archimandrites and abbots, as heads of monasteries. During the Divine Service, eagles are placed under the bishop’s feet. These are small round rugs with the image of an eagle flying over the city. Orlets mean that the bishop must, like an eagle, ascend from the earthly to the heavenly.

The home clothing of a bishop, priest and deacon consists of a cassock (half-caftan) and a cassock. Over the cassock, on the chest, the bishop wears a cross and panagia, and the priest wears a cross

Everyday clothing of clergy of the Orthodox Church, cassocks and cassocks, as a rule, are made of fabric black, which expresses the humility and unpretentiousness of a Christian, disregard for external beauty, attention to the inner world.

During services, church vestments, which come in various colors, are worn over everyday clothing.

Vestments white are used when performing divine services on holidays dedicated to the Lord Jesus Christ (with the exception of Palm Sunday and Trinity), angels, apostles and prophets. The white color of these vestments symbolizes holiness, permeation with uncreated Divine Energies, and belonging to the heavenly world. At the same time white is a memory of the Tabor light, the dazzling light of Divine glory. Liturgy is celebrated in white vestments Holy Saturday and Easter Matins. In this case, the white color symbolizes the glory of the Risen Savior. It is customary to wear white vestments for funerals and all funeral services. In this case, this color expresses the hope for the repose of the deceased in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Vestments red used during the Liturgy of the Light Christ's Resurrection and at all services of the forty-day Easter period. The red color in this case is a symbol of all-conquering Divine Love. In addition, red vestments are used on holidays dedicated to the memory of martyrs and on the feast of the Beheading of John the Baptist. In this case, the red color of the vestments is a memory of the blood shed by the martyrs for the Christian faith.

Vestments blue color , symbolizing virginity, are used exclusively for divine services on the feasts of the Mother of God. Blue is the color of Heaven, from which the Holy Spirit descends on us. Therefore, blue color is a symbol of the Holy Spirit. This is a symbol of purity.
This is why cyan (blue) color is used in church service on holidays associated with the name of the Mother of God.
The Holy Church calls the Most Holy Theotokos the vessel of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit descended on her and She became the Mother of the Savior. Holy Mother of God Since childhood, she has been distinguished by a special purity of soul. Therefore, the color of the Mother of God became blue (blue). We see clergy in blue (blue) vestments on holidays:
Nativity of the Mother of God
On the day of Her Entry into the Temple
On the day of the Presentation of the Lord
On the day of Her Assumption
On the days of glorification of the icons of the Mother of God

Vestments golden (yellow) color used at services dedicated to the memory of saints. The golden color is a symbol of the Church, the Triumph of Orthodoxy, which was affirmed through the works of the holy bishops. Sunday services are performed in the same vestments. Sometimes divine services are performed in golden vestments on the days of remembrance of the apostles, who created the first church communities by preaching the Gospel. It's no coincidence that's why yellow liturgical vestments are the most commonly used. It is in yellow robes that priests dress on Sundays (when Christ and his victory over the forces of hell are glorified).
In addition, yellow vestments are also worn on the days of remembrance of the apostles, prophets, and saints - that is, those saints who, through their service in the Church, resembled Christ the Savior: they enlightened people, called to repentance, revealed Divine truths, and performed the sacraments as priests.

Vestments green used at the services of Palm Sunday and Trinity. In the first case, the green color is associated with the memory of palm branches, a symbol of royal dignity, with which the inhabitants of Jerusalem greeted Jesus Christ. In the second case, the green color is a symbol of the renewal of the earth, purified by the grace of the Holy Spirit who has appeared hypostatically and always abides in the Church. For the same reason, green vestments are worn at services dedicated to the memory of saints, holy ascetics-monks, who were more transformed than other people by the grace of the Holy Spirit. Vestments green are used on the days of remembrance of the saints - that is, saints leading an ascetic, monastic lifestyle, who devoted special attention spiritual deeds. Among them are Venerable Sergius Radonezh, founder of the Holy Trinity-Sergius Lavra, and Reverend Mary Egyptian, who spent many years in the desert, and Venerable Seraphim Sarovsky and many, many others.
This is due to the fact that the ascetic life that these saints led changed their human nature - it became different, it was renewed - it was sanctified by Divine grace. In their lives, they united with Christ (who is symbolized by the color yellow) and with the Holy Spirit (who is symbolized by the second color - blue).

Vestments purple or crimson (dark burgundy) colors are worn on holidays dedicated to the Honest and Life-giving Cross. They are also used at Sunday services during Lent. This color is a symbol of the Savior’s suffering on the cross and is associated with the memories of the scarlet robe in which Christ was dressed by the Roman soldiers who laughed at him (Matthew 27, 28). In the days of remembering the sufferings of the Savior and His death on the cross(Sundays of Lent, Holy Week - the last week before Easter, on the days of worship of the Cross of Christ (Day of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, etc.)
Shades of red in violet remind us of the suffering of Christ on the cross. The shade blue(colors of the Holy Spirit) means that Christ is God, He is inextricably linked with the Holy Spirit, with the Spirit of God, He is one of the hypostases Holy Trinity. Purple seventh in the row of colors of the rainbow. This corresponds to the seventh day of the creation of the world. The Lord created the world for six days, but the seventh day became a day of rest. After the suffering on the cross, the Savior’s earthly journey ended, Christ conquered death, defeated the forces of hell and rested from earthly affairs.

In order to get a more detailed understanding of who conducts services in the church or who speaks on television from the Russian Orthodox Church, it is necessary to know exactly what ranks there are in the Church and the Monastery, as well as their hierarchy. We recommend that you read

In the Orthodox world, Church ranks are divided into ranks of white clergy (Rites of the Church) and ranks of black clergy (Monastic ranks).

CHURCH OFFICERS OR WHITE CLERGY

CHURCH OFFICES – ALTARNIK

In the world's understanding lately Church rank The altar boy began to disappear, and instead of him the rank of Sexton or Novice was increasingly mentioned. The tasks of the Altarman include the duties of carrying out the instructions of the rector of the temple; as a rule, such duties include maintaining a candle fire in the temple, lighting lamps and other lighting devices in the altar and iconostasis, they also help the priests put on clothes, bring prosphora, incense to the temple and perform another grunt work. The altar boy can be recognized by the fact that he wears a surplice over his secular clothes. We recommend that you familiarize yourself with

CHURCH OFFICERS – READER

This is the lowest rank of the church and the reader is not included in the priesthood. The reader's duties include reading sacred texts and prayers during worship. In case of advancement in rank, the reader is ordained subdeacon.

CHURCH OFFICES – HYPODIACON

It is something of an intermediate rank between the laity and the clergy. Unlike the readers and altar servers, the subdeacon is allowed to touch the throne and the altar, as well as enter the altar through the royal gate, although the subdeacon is not a clergyman. The duties of this Church rank include assisting the Bishop in Divine services. We recommend that you read

CHURCH OFFICES – DEACON

The lowest level of clergy, as a rule, the duties of deacons include helping priests in worship, although they themselves do not have the right to perform public worship and be representatives of the church. Since a priest has the opportunity to perform rituals without a deacon, the number of deacons is currently being reduced, as the need for them is no longer needed.

CHURCH OFFICES – PROTODEACON OR PROTODEACON

This rank indicates the chief deacon in cathedrals; as a rule, such a rank is assigned to a deacon after at least 15 years of service and is a special reward for service.

CHURCH OFFICERS – PRIEST

Currently, this rank is held by priests, and is designated as a junior title of priest. Priests, receiving power from bishops, have the right to conduct church ceremonies, teach people the Orthodox faith and perform other sacraments, but at the same time priests are prohibited from conducting ordination as priests.

CHURCH OFFICERS – ARCHOPRISH

CHURCH OFFICES – PROTOPRESTER

The highest Church rank in the white clergy is not a separate rank and is awarded only as a reward for the most deserved deeds before Orthodox faith and is appointed only by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'.

Monastic orders or black clergy

CHURCH OFFICES – HIERODEACON: He is a monk with the rank of deacon.
CHURCH OFFICES – ARCHIDEACON: He is a senior hierodeacon.
CHURCH OFFICES – HIEROMONK: Is a monastic priest with the right to perform Orthodox sacraments.
CHURCH OFFICES – IGUMENE: Is the rector Orthodox monastery.
CHURCH OFFICES – ARCHIMADRID: The highest degree in the monastic ranks, but occupying a step lower than bishop.
CHURCH OFFICES – BISHOP: This rank is supervisory and has the third degree of priesthood and can also be called a bishop.
CHURCH OFFICES – METROPOLITAN: Most highest title bishop in the church.
CHURCH OFFICES – PATRIARCH: The most senior rank of the Orthodox Church.

SHARE:

In Orthodoxy Distinguish secular clergy(priests who did not take monastic vows) andblack clergy (monasticism)

The ranks of the white clergy:

:

Altar boy- the name given to a male layman who helps the clergy at the altar. The term is not used in canonical and liturgical texts, but became generally accepted in this meaning by the end of the 20th century. in many European dioceses in the Russian Orthodox ChurchThe name “altar boy” is not generally accepted. In the Siberian dioceses of the Russian Orthodox Church it is not used; instead of it in given value the more traditional term sexton is usually used, as well as novice. The sacrament is not performed over the altar boy priesthood , he only receives a blessing from the rector of the temple to serve at the altar.
the duties of the altar server include monitoring the timely and correct lighting of candles, lamps and other lamps in the altar and in front of the iconostasis; preparation of vestments for priests and deacons; bringing prosphora, wine, water, incense to the altar; lighting the coal and preparing the censer; giving a fee for wiping the lips during Communion; assistance to the priest in performing the sacraments and requirements; cleaning the altar; if necessary, reading during services and performing the duties of a bell ringer.The altar server is prohibited from touching the throne and its accessories, as well as from moving from one side of the altar to the other between the throne and the Royal Doors.The altar server wears a surplice over lay clothes.

Reader (acolyte; earlier, before late XIX - sexton, lat. lecturer) - in Christianity - the lowest rank of clergy, not raised to a degree priesthood reading texts during public worship Holy Scripture and prayers. In addition, according to ancient tradition, the readers not only read in Christian churches, but also explained the meaning of difficult-to-understand texts, translated them into the languages ​​of their area, preached sermons, taught converts and children, sang various hymns (chants), engaged in charity work, and had other church obediences.In the Orthodox Church, readers are dedicated bishops through a special rite - hirothesia, otherwise called “ordination”. This is the first initiation of a layman, only after which can he be ordained as a subdeacon, and then ordained as a deacon, then as a priest and, higher, as a bishop (bishop).The reader has the right to wear a cassock, belt and skufia. During tonsure, a small veil is first put on him, which is then removed and a surplice is put on.

Subdeacon(Greek Υποδιάκονος ; in common parlance (obsolete) subdeacon from Greek ὑπο - “under”, “below” + Greek διάκονος - minister) - a clergyman in the Orthodox Church, serving mainly with the bishop during his sacred ceremonies, wearing in front of him in the indicated cases the trikiri, dikiri and ripids, laying the eagle, washing his hands, vesting him and performing some other actions.IN modern Church the subdeacon does not have a sacred degree, although he wears a surplice and has one of the accessories of the deaconate - an orarion, which is worn crosswise over both shoulders and symbolizes angelic wings. Being the most senior clergyman, the subdeacon is an intermediate link between clergy and clergy. Therefore, the subdeacon, with the blessing of the serving bishop, can touch the throne and the altar during divine services and in certain moments enter the altar through the Royal Doors.

Deacon(lit. form; colloquial) deacon; Old Greek διάκονος - minister) - a person serving in church service at the first, lowest degree of priesthood.
In the Orthodox East and in Russia, deacons still occupy the same hierarchical position as in ancient times. Their job and significance is to be assistants during worship. They themselves cannot perform public worship and be representatives of the Christian community. Due to the fact that a priest can perform all services and services without a deacon, deacons cannot be considered absolutely necessary. On this basis, it is possible to reduce the number of deacons in churches and parishes. We resorted to such reductions to increase the salary of priests.

Protodeacon or protodeacon- title white clergy, chief deacon in the diocese under cathedral. Title protodeacon complained in the form of a reward for special merits, as well as deacons of the court department.Protodeacon's insignia - protodeacon's orarion with the words " Holy, holy, holy». Currently, the title of protodeacon is usually given to deacons after 20 years of service in the priesthood.Protodeacons are often famous for their voice, being one of the main decorations of the divine service.

Priest(Greek Ἱερεύς ) - a term passed on from Greek language, where it originally meant “priest”, in Christian church usage; literally translated into Russian - priest. In the Russian Church it is used as a junior title for a white priest. He receives from the bishop the authority to teach people the faith of Christ, to perform all the Sacraments, except the Sacrament of Ordination of the priesthood, and all church services, except for the consecration of antimensions.

Archpriest(Greek πρωτοιερεύς - “high priest”, from πρώτος "first" + ἱερεύς "priest") - a title given to a personwhite clergy as a reward in the Orthodox Church. The archpriest is usually the rector of the temple. Ordination to the archpriest occurs through consecration. During divine services (except for the liturgy), priests (priests, archpriests, hieromonks) wear a phelonion (chasuble) and stole over their cassock and cassock.

Protopresbyter - highest rank for a person white clergy in the Russian Church and in some others local churches After 1917 assigned in isolated cases priesthood priests, as a reward; not a separate grade B modern Russian Orthodox Church awarding the rank of protopresbyter is carried out “in exceptional cases, for special church merits, on the initiative and decision of His Holiness Patriarch Moscow and All Rus'.

Black clergy:

Hierodeacon(hierodeacon) (from Greek. ἱερο- - sacred and διάκονος - servant; Old Russian "black deacon") - a monk in the rank of deacon. The senior hierodeacon is called the archdeacon.
Hieromonk(Greek Ἱερομόναχος ) - in the Orthodox Church, a monk who has the rank of priest (that is, the right to perform the sacraments). Monks become hieromonks through ordination or white priests through monastic tonsure.Hegumen(Greek ἡγούμενος - “leading”, female. abbess) - abbot of an Orthodox monastery.Archimandrite(Greek αρχιμανδρίτης ; from Greek αρχι - chief, senior+ Greek μάνδρα - corral, sheepfold, fence in meaning monastery) - one of the highest monastic ranks in the Orthodox Church (below the bishop), corresponds to the mitered (mitred) archpriest and protopresbyter in the white clergy.Bishop(Greek ἐπίσκοπος - “supervisor”, “supervisor”) in the modern Church - a person who has the third, highest degree of priesthood, otherwise bishop. Metropolitan(Greek μητροπολίτης ) - the first episcopal title in the Church in antiquity.
Patriarch(Greek Πατριάρχης , from Greek. πατήρ - "father" and ἀρχή - “dominance, beginning, power”) - the title of the representative of the autocephalous Orthodox Church in a number Local Churches; also the title of senior bishop; historically, before the Great Schism, it was assigned to the five bishops of the Universal Church (Rome, Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch and Jerusalem), who had the rights of the highest church-governmental jurisdiction. The Patriarch is elected by the Local Council.