SERVANTS OF A CHURCH

For an overview as to what makes up a church or those who serve in a church it is important to understand who serves the congregation? Who is the person that serves church? As Christians, we believe that Jesus, is the “Shepherd”, Jesus. We believe that our Shepherd is Pope Tawadros II who is the shepherd figure here on earth.The Pope looks out for the flock. I hear you asking who is the flock? The flock is a symbolic meaning of us. Think of it like this; our Lord Jesus Christ is the good Shepherd he laid down his life for us. “We” resemble Jesus’ lost sheep. Jesus feeds his sheep, take care of his sheep and Jesus always searches for his missing sheep when they stray away from the rest of the flock. When the sheep hear Jesus’ voice, they follow him and look for him. So, the congregation/members of St Mina and St Anthony’s Coptic Orthodox Church is the flock of sheep.There are ranks of Priesthood are as follows.

There are three ranks in Priesthood:

  • The order of Deacons.
  • The order of Priests.

The order of Bishops.

  • Deacons are servants,
  • Priests are teachers,
  • Bishops are overseers, and shepherds.

RANKS OF DEACONS

There are five ranks ofdeacons. In ascending order, they are:

  1. Epsaltos (hymnist)
  2. Ognostis (reader)
  3. Epideacon (subdeacon)
  4. Deacon (full deacon)
  5. Archdeacon (leader of deacons)

DIFFERENT RANKS OF DEACONS

There is also, the following:

  • Deaconnesses in the church
  • Assistant deaconess
  • Consecrated sisters

CONSECRATED SISTERS

THE RANKS OF PRIESTHOOD

There are three ranks of priesthood:

  • PriestArchpriest (hegomen)
  • Khoori
  • Episcopos

For further information and details regarding the structure and the ordination rites refer to the following link:http://www.copticchurch.net/topics/thecopticchurch/sacraments/7_priesthood.html