The role of the bishop is vital and important to understand because the dynamic of the church and community is central to the role of the bishop. The bishop in the early part of the church was the overseer the Greek word donated for the bishop was episkopos. The bishop if understood and viewed as the overseer the question becomes what was he the overseer of exactly? In our modern notion a bishop is given over to a dioceses. The romantic portrayal today associates the bishop being married to his dioceses and once married the bishop then becomes the living representation of God to the entire community through his service. This point of view speaks correctly in that the bishop represents God and in representing God he has a duty to take care of his community through the appointment of presbyters and deacons who take care of services and pastoral need of the congregation. St. Ignatius stresses this point to the community when he says "follow the bishop as Jesus Christ follows the father; and follow the presbytery as you would the apostles". Ignatius stresses the point here that the Bishop represents God as Christ follows the Father. In doing so we must respect and listen to the bishop as Christ followed God the Father. In doing so the Bishop then becomes a great form of service not because of the ecclescial rank but rather because the bishop is in complete submission to his service just like Christ was in complete submission to the will of the Father. This leaves the office of teaching and taking care of the people to the presbytery because as Ignatius puts it they represents the apostles. The apostles were the ones appointed by Christ to go to the ends of the world to preach and baptize in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit (Mt. 28.19-20 RSV). Priests then are to be respected because they not only represent the bishop when the bishop is not present but are given the gifr to teach and to lead the congregation in the unity of Christ body.
The following are a few passages from the letters of Ignatius speaking on the bishopric, presbytery and the diaconate:
All of you should follow the bishop as Jesus Christ follows the Father; and follow the presbytery as you would the apostles. Respect the deacons as the commandment of God. Let no one do anything involving the church without the bishop. Let that Eucharist be considered valid that occurs under the bishop of the one to whom he entrusts (the presbytery=priests) it. Let the congregation be wherever the bishop is; just as wherever Jesus Christ is, there also is the universal church. It is not permitted either to baptize or to hold a love feast without the bishop. But whatever he approves is acceptable to God, so that everything you do should be secure and valid (Chapter 8).
Finally, it is reasonable for us to return to sobriety, while we still have time to repent to God. It is good to know both God and the bishop. The one who honors the bishop is honored by God; the one who does anything behind the bishop's back serves the devil. Let all things abound to you on grace, for you are worthy. You have loved me when absent as well as when present. God is your recompense; if you endure all thinks for his sake, you will attain to him (Chapter 9).
Taken from St. Ignatius of Antioch to the Church of the Smyrnaeans
These pictures of Patriarch Kirill, Patriarch Shenouda III and Patriarch Theodosius II, I choose to show because it demonstrates the common factor that brings these bishops together; Christ. Christ is the uniting factor. Christ great commission is what allows for these pious men who have devoted there entire lives to Christ to come together out of love for each other. Out of there common love for each other all three take care of the community they are given to and there work is made manifest throughout the world. Keep these bishops and all bishops in your prayers.
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