Ordo, ordinatio, impositio manuum in the New Testament and the Writings of Apostolic Fathers (part I)
Leszek Misiarczyk
Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski University in Warsaw , Polandhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-9511-6174
Abstract
The article aims to analyze the texts of the New Testament and the writings of the Apostolic Fathers in which the theme of the appointment of deacons, presbyters, and bishops attested. In the New Testament, this appointment is expressed by the phrases ἐπίθεσις τῶν χειρῶν(impositio/inpositio manuum) or ἐπιθεῖναι τὰς χεῖρας (imponere/inponere manus). In the Synoptic Gospels, these expressions denote the blessing of children by Jesus, as well as act of healing, the raising of the dead, and deliverance from demonic powers. In the conclusion of the Gospel of Mark, the gesture of the laying on of hands functions as the means by which Jesus transmits his power of healing and deliverance to the disciples.
The concept of “appointment through the laying on of hands” (χειροτονία/χειροτονέω) is apllied to the community leaders in Acts 14:23 and Pastoral Epistles (1–2 Timothy). In the Didache, the verb χειροτονέω already designates the appointment of bishops and deacons through the laying on of hands. Beyond this usage, χειροτονέω is also employed with reference to the entrusting of the evangelizing mission to Paul and Barnabas in Asia Minor, as well as to the mission of assistance carried out by by a deacon or another representative of the community for the Church in Antioch in the Letters of Ignatius of Antioch.
This “technical” use of the verb χειροτονέω in the regions of Asia Minor and ancient Syria contrasts with the Roman context, where neither the noun χειροτονία nor the verb χειροτονέω occurs. Instead, in 1 Clement, the verb καθίστημι is used to describe the appointment of bishops and deacons within the Church.
Keywords:
ordo, ordinatio, impositio manuum, New Testament, Apostolic FathersReferences
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Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski University in Warsaw https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9511-6174
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