Proces powstawania i utrwalania tytułów hierarchicznych w I i II wieku

Abstract

The first two centuries of Christianity is the period during which ecclesiastical offices were formed in the Church. Over the course of years the functions became stable and formalized initiating hierarchic grades of priesthood in Christianity. The objective of the article is to show the process of formation, stabilization and understanding of priest functions in the early Church. The first part of the article presents the cause of coming into existence separate functions beginning with apostolate, which was created by Christ, through chancel to episcopate, which are formed as a result of the demands of the first Church. Apart from the mentioned question, it also presents the issue of not applying the hierarchal titles such as hiereus (gr), sacerdos (Latin), that is priest in the early stage of the development of the Church, which in modem times is a base. The article also analyses the criteria and requirements, which were made for apostles and chancel and bishops representing above functions. The main sources of information concerning the subject are the scriptures of Apostles Fathers and the Scriptures of New Testament, which present that superior functions were determined by separate demands relating to moral features as well as doctrinal-pastoral ones. The conclusions of the analysis show that priesthood is organically connected with the existence and understanding of the Church. The study of the above issue is to serve further understanding of theological, practical and in a way, historical factors that created foundation of superiors which at present constitute the grades of priesthood.