Successor of the Apostles
Successor of the Apostles
Why have we been so enthusiastic about the vacant dioceses and written about the necessity that the people choose their shepherd?
It is because the bishop means either life or death for his diocese, and also because he is the successor of the apostles.
The episcopal rank, within priesthood, includes: bishop, metropolitan, archbishop, catholicos, patriarch, and pope. In this article, we wish to speak canonically about this sacred rank.
How great is the authority that the canons give to the bishop! Holy Scripture calls him “the steward of God” (Titus 1:7). The Didascalia calls him “the shepherd,” saying he is “the overseer of the people, their father, head, leader, and intercessor before God.” The canons also command respect, honor, and obedience to the bishop in the Lord.
But woe to him who thinks this authority is a field of greatness, dignity, or domination! In truth, it is merely a tool enabling the bishop to carry out his grave responsibilities.
The episcopate is not an honor—
it is a responsibility.
This serious responsibility is summarized by the Didascalia in one phrase:
“Let the bishop care for everyone, that he may save them.”
God will hold him accountable for every soul in his diocese. If any perish due to the bishop’s negligence or weak shepherding, the Lord will say to him:
“If you do not speak to warn the wicked… his blood I will require at your hand” (Ezekiel 33:8).
If we say, therefore, “Great is the authority of the bishop, and heavy is his responsibility,” we must also say, “Fearful indeed is the judgment of the bishop!”
That is why the saints fled from this fearful and dreadful office.
It is not a throne upon which one sits, but an account to be rendered before God.
For this—and for this only—God granted authority to the bishop, that he might fulfill the work of shepherding.
Authority is a rod placed in the bishop’s hand, not to strike, but to shepherd.
Hence David beautifully said to the Lord:
“Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4).
Authority is a weapon in the bishop’s hand—like a scalpel in the hand of a compassionate doctor, who uses it to heal, not to wound and destroy.
Therefore, the bishop must have holiness worthy of his authority.
We cannot speak of episcopal authority without speaking of episcopal holiness; for half-truths are not the truth.
If we say he is “the steward of God,” we must also say that he ought to be “the image and likeness of God.”
If we call him “shepherd and father,” we must add to these titles the qualities of both—practically visible to all—love, gentleness, compassion, and care.
If we say that the bishop has authority to discipline, the canons also say that he must be calm, peaceful, pure from all evil and injustice, neither stubborn, nor gloomy, nor hasty, nor deceitful.
He must also not be a listener to gossip,
nor quick to anger.
Again, the Didascalia repeats:
“Let the bishop care for everyone, that he may save them.”
How beautiful are the qualities of a bishop described by St. Paul in his First Epistle to Timothy (3:2–7) and to Titus (1:7–8).
How beautiful, too, are the qualities of the bishop in the Didascalia, which, when it could not list all his virtues, concluded by saying:
“Let the bishop acquire for himself all the good qualities that are in the Law.” (Book 3)
With the Lord’s help, El-Keraza magazine will study the virtues of the bishop one by one.
The Bishop and His People
The relationship of the bishop with his people rests on two essential pillars: love and trust.
Without these two, all his work is in vain and bound to fail.
And for love to rest on a firm foundation, we have proclaimed an important principle:
The people have the right to choose their shepherd.
For love to exist, the bishop must treat his people with great humility—
like the Lord Himself, who stooped down and washed His disciples’ feet.
How beautiful are the words of St. Augustine in his Confessions, when he prayed for his people saying:
“I beseech You, O Lord, for my masters—Your servants.”
From where did Augustine learn such wisdom?
He had heard the words of Scripture:
“If you will be a servant to these people today, and serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be your servants forever.” (1 Kings 12:7)
Does the bishop’s humility destroy his authority or diminish his dignity? Certainly not! Only those who understand authority in a worldly, mistaken way could think so.
And now, beloved brother, there is no doubt that this subject has more to be said.
Article by His Grace Bishop Shenouda, Bishop of Education
El-Keraza Magazine, Issue No. 8, October 1965
For better translation support, please contact the center.
