Tradition: Historical Ecclesiology (Ecclesial Theology will come later)
Note: much of this is drawn from Fr. Michael Pomazansky’s Orthodox Dogmatic Theology.
Genesis: man was made for society; and that society was intentionally organized. While under the Old Covenant, the ecclesia was organized. That organization was transfigured in and by Christ, who is The High Priest and Shepherd (Pastor) and given a new hierarchical structure:
He “gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the Body of Christ; till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” (Eph. 4:11-13).
No one can call themselves into hierarchical ministry or create their own churches; “No man taketh this honor unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron” (Heb. 5:4).
Bishops
The first rank of the Church on earth is the apostles;
After His resurrection, Christ said to the apostles; “As My Father hath sent Me, even so send I you. And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said unto them, Receive ye the Holy Spirit. Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained” (John 20:21-23).
Then he describes their ministry; “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you. And, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen” (Matt. 28:19-20).
The Lord sending the Holy Spirit evidences ecclesial leadership is “inseparably united with special gift of the grace of the Holy Spirit.
Note that they are called to teach, perform mysteries, and to administrate (“observe”).
This Great Commission also points towards the need for successors or heirs to the Apostles who will continue the work (“always”). This was done by the laying on of hands as with St. Matthias (Acts I) and St. Timothy. For the latter; “Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery” (1 Tim. 4:13) and “I put thee in remembrance, that thou stir up the gift of God which is in thee by the putting on of my hands” (2 Tim. 1:6).
From Fr. Michael Pomazansky;
“The succession from the Apostles and the uninterruptedness of the episcopacy comprise one of the essential sides of the Church. And, on the contrary: the absence of the succession of the episcopacy in one or another Christian denomination deprives it of an attribute of the true Church, even if in it there is present an undistorted dogmatic teaching. Such an understanding was present in the Church from its beginning. From the Church History of Eusebius of Caesarea we know that all the local ancient Christian Churches preserved lists of their bishops in their uninterrupted succession.” (p. 120)
St. Paul also gave them the authority ordain other bishops/priests: “For this cause I left thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting and ordain presbyters in every city, as I had appointed thee” (Titus 1:5).
Presbyters
In addition to the above, Acts describes the Apostles Paul and Barnabas ordained presbyters in several places (Acts 14:23). Fr. Thomas Hopko points out that the words bishop and presbyter were not used as precisely as now, but this was well nailed down before too long, but it is clear that the order was for the senior bishop to assign clerics to lead the church in specific places. This pattern was certainly established in the mind of St. Ignatius of Antioch, who pointed to the need for proper church order. It is also true the word bishop was the same word as overseer; once again it was known by its context. Regardless, the presbytery is the second order of the priesthood.
Deacons
The third order of the priesthood is the diaconate. This office was started in Acts (chapter six), and Acts also describes that deacons, like priests are ordained by bishops (1 Timothy 3:8-13). They had specific tasks assigned to them, but their purpose was to assist the bishops and presbyters. At least once the deacons preached (St. Stephen!) and baptized (the eunuch in Acts 8:5 and 38). It natural flows that they would be entrusted to give communion at the Eucharist and take communion to people who were not at the Eucharist (St. Justin Martyr).
There were also specific requirements to become a deacon and presbyter/bishop:
Requirements for Bishops/Presbyters
1 Timothy 3:1-7 (KJV)
This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
Titus 1:5-9 (KJV)
For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:
If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.
For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;
But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;
Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
Requirements for Deacons
Acts 6:3
Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
1 Timothy 3:8-13 (KJV)
Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.
Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.
Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.
For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
Three Orders
While there were other callings and gifts, the bishop, presbyter, and deacon are the only orders early on. Here is St. Ignatius;
“It is essential, as indeed you are acting, to do nothing without the bishop. Likewise obey the presbytery as apostles of Jesus Christ — our hope, in Whom may God grant that we live. And everyone should cooperate in every way with the deacons that serve the ministers of the Mysteries of Jesus Christ, for they are not ministers of food and drink, but servants of the Church of God.” “All of you should revere the deacons, as a commandment of Jesus Christ, and the bishop as Jesus Christ, the Son of God the Father, and the presbyters as the assembly of God, as the choir of the Apostles. Without them there is no Church” (Ignatius the God-bearer, Epistle to the Trallians, par. 2; To the Smyrneans, par. 8).
There can be Church and the Eucharist without priests and deacons, but not without a bishop. The relations between ranks and across episcopacies were spelled out by councils.
Councils
The Council in Jerusalem is Acts (15 – 16) flowed naturally from the Apostolic faith; there was a wide dispute that required a universal response. This became normative. The Ecumenical Council of bishops is the highest authority in the Church.
Fisnish with a meditation on the one, all, and few (Fr. Thomas Hopko and Mp. Kallistos Ware).