by Anastasios D.
Salapatas
INTRODUCTION
Ignatius and his
writings
Ignatius is an
exceptional figure of Christianity, “a man of intense devotion”1, who lived and
offered his episcopal ministry in the years of the so-called primitive Church.
Ecclesiastical
History has only preserved a few biographical elements about Ignatius; most of
them come from his own writings. But his Epistles are not historical-biographical
texts. Thus, they contain only very few details about Ignatius.
From what we know he
had been the second bishop of Antioch, starting his ministry at about 70 A.D.
It is certain that he had met with some of the Apostles. The social environment
in which he was brought up might have been Greek, or at least influenced by
Greek culture (this is a conclusion we reach by studying his writings).
During the years of
the Roman persecution by Emperor Trajan, Ignatius was arrested and was brought
to Rome in order to receive martyrdom. The common view today is that he was put
to death at the Roman Stadium called Colosseum2, sometime between the years 107
and 117.
He called himself
Theophoros 3, which is a very distinctive title for Christians and means the
“God-bearer”. The title signifies the close spiritual relationship that he had
with Christ. His memory is commemorated in the Eastern Orthodox Church on 20th
December and in the Roman on the lst of February.
At his last days
before he died he wrote seven Epistles. These are as follows: to the Ephesians,
to the Magnesians, to the Trallians, to the Romans, to the Philadelphians, to
the Smyrnaeans and to Polycarp. The first four were written from Smyrna and the
remaining three from Troas, in Asia Minor4.
The Epistles of
Ignatius, written at a relatively early date, “have played an important role in
the theological reflections of the Church and represent a central point of
contention in the scholarly discussions of Christian origins”5.
The significance of
the Epistles is so great, basically because in them we find the first clear and
direct reference to the threefold ministry and the settlement of the
ecclesiastical authority, the centre of which is the bishop6.
These texts are of
great importance to all of Christendom and because of them Ignatius has been
acknowledged as “the first great theologian of the post-apostolic period and
the first Father and Teacher of the Church”7.
I. THE PURPOSE OF THE
VARIOUS DIACONAL REFERENCES IN IGNATIUS’ EPISTLES
It is true that the
Epistles of Ignatius are full of references to the diakonos and to the diaconal
function in the early Church. But it is also true that those references do not
constitute the central theme in any of the Epistles.
The diaconal theme
appears in these texts as part of the greater discussion concerning the
ecclesiastical authority and the threefold ministry. Diaconal references may be
found in all the Epistles except that addressed to the Romans.
For the first time in
the history of the Church the three ranks of priesthood are clearly mentioned
together8, in exactly the same order as we know them today. Diakonos is placed
on the lowest level, or on the first rank of the Christian ministry, while
presbyteros is on the second and the episkopos on the third and obviously the
highest.
Ignatius is very
clear on this matter of the Church ministry. He makes a great contribution to
Ecclesiastical History by:
1. offering the names of the titles of the
three officers (diakonos, presbyteros, episkopos)9,
2. presenting their functions, liturgical and
pastoral, as they are found in his time10,
3. making the point that they are different in
function and distinct among themselves11,
4. interpreting the threefold Church ministry
as the earthly and visible ministry which resembles the heavenly prototype12,
and
5. emphasising the idea of unity in the
Church, in accordance with the unity experienced within the Holy Trinity13.
Ignatius firmly
believes that deacons, presbyters and bishops are “appointed according to the
will of Jesus Christ”14. He supports the view that deacons, presbyters and
bishops are definitely a separate category of people, called to minister to the
faithful. With his “prophetic voice”15 Ignatius calls the lay people to pay
attention16 to them.
Therefore it becomes
quite clear that the diaconal references in Ignatius are obviously offered as
part of his theory of the ecclesiastical authority and the Christian ministry.
II. EPISKOPOS –
DIAKONOS RELATIONSHIP ACCORDING TO IGNATIUS
There are many
interesting passages in Ignatius’ Epistles, where references may be found to
the spiritual and even pastoral and liturgical relationship between episkopos
and diakonos. Some of them are symbolic, others are realistic.
The bishop Ignatius
calls the deacons his “fellow slaves”17 and this is obviously a very important
symbolic expression, which shows how highly the bishop regarded his deacons.
The word “syndoulos” means that they are both (bishop and deacon) following the
same spiritual path; they believe and follow the same Christ and to Him they
are both spiritually answerable.
The deacon is
“subject to the bishop”18. A big discussion could open here. In our case we
prefer only to point out some of the questions. Which are the areas in which
the deacon is subject to the bishop? Is it on the administrative level? Is it
connected to the pastoral work and responsibility that the deacon might have
had? Or is it related to the diaconal liturgical function?
The actual fact is that
the deacon in all these Ignatian writings seems to have been an “assistant to
the bishop”19. He does the will of the bishop as Jesus did the will of the
Father20. At the same time he is regarded by Ignatius as “most dear to him”21,
who has been “entrusted with the service of Jesus Christ”22.
According to W.R.
Schoedel, “There is an especially close bond between bishop and deacon in
Ignatius”23. He interprets this relationship by suggesting that this may
reflect an earlier stage in the development of the ministry when these two
offices had not yet merged with the presbyterate. But other factors probably
suffice to explain the special attention given to deacons by Ignatius: their
active role in practical matters; in particular, their service to Ignatius personally;
and a special concern on Ignatius’ part to support those whose position
sometimes put them in “difficult situations”24.
As far as the
relationship between the deacon and the presbyters is concerned there is only
one reference25 in Ignatius’ writings, where the diakonos appears to be
responsible “to the presbytery”26. This relationship has not been defined very
well “presumably because this is not the essential mark of the office”27.
III. DIAKONOS: MODEL
OF CHRIST
In Ignatius text
references are found of the diakonos being a model of Jesus Christ Himself28.
It is quite obvious that Ignatius loves his deacons and regards them very
highly.
The diakonos, who is
closely working with his bishop, is “respected”29 as Jesus Christ, having been
“entrusted with the service of Jesus Christ”30.
According to Ignatius
the episkopos is set over the people “in the place of God”31, being “a type of
the Father”32. The presbyters are also compared with the apostles33.
In all the relevant
references the diakonos appears to be a model, or a “symbol”34, or even a
“representation”35 of Christ. This idea seems to have been based on the New
Testament. Our Lord, speaking about Himself and His ministry on earth, states
that “the Son of Man came not to be served (diakonHthHnai) but to serve
(diakonHsai)”36. Thus, He regarded Himself as a diakonos of the Church and of
the people, offering therefore a diaconal prototype to the Christian Church.
It could also be
suggested that the diakonos, as an ecclesiastical figure who represents Christ,
according to Ignatius, appears to have been more important than the presbyter,
at least in the Church of Antioch, although he (the diakonos) certainly stands
in the third place37 of the ecclesiastical hierarchy.
It is interesting to
note that the Ignatian view of the diakonos being a model of Jesus Christ, is
also found in some other early Christian writings, such as The Letter of
Polycarp to the Phrlippians38, Didascalia Apostolorum39 and Apostolic
Constitutions40.
At a later stage
diakonos becomes the model of an angel. This is due to the liturgical
development of the office. Saint John Chrysostom41 and Theodore of Mopsuestia
in Catecheses42 are clearly stating that the diakonos as he wears his orarion43
during the Church Services is like a flying angel. He also moves “between the
sacred and the profane bearing messages”44 like the angels.
CONCLUSIONS
Ignatius Theophorus,
the bishop of Antioch, is a great figure of the ancient Christian Church. He is
the first most important theologian after the Holy Apostles. By studying his
Epistles the modern scholar may find in them many details regarding the actual
life of the Church in Ignatius’ era.
Among the main themes
in Ignatius’ written thoughts are the ecclesiastical authority and the three
ranks of the Christian priesthood. The diaconate which is the first and the
lowest rank of priesthood is clearly mentioned in Ignatius’ texts, although
this is not his central theme.
The holy writer
considers the diakonos and his diaconal ministry to be of a great value for the
Church of Antioch and beyond. He, as the bishop of Antioch, is closely
co-operating with the deacons in order to secure the best possible ministry for
his flock.
Ignatius is related
spiritually to the deacons, according to his own writings, in exactly the same
way as God the Father is related to Jesus Christ. Thus, the diakonos is
considered as a model of Jesus, who according to the New Testament had been the
first diakonos of the Church.
The diakonos is
always following the orders of his bishop, being answerable to him. But there
is no clear reference in Ignatius’ texts as to the actual functions, pastoral,
liturgical, or any other, of the diakonos. Finally, there is no direct mention
to the deaconesses.
NOTES
1. Henry Chadwick,
The Early Church, Penguin Books, London 1988, p.30.
2. Styl.
Papadopoulou, Patrologia, vol.É, Athens 1982, p.178. E. W. Barnes (in The Rise
of Christianity, London 1948, p.261) believes that “the story of the martyrdom
of Ignatius is edifying legend, not contemporary history”, suggesting that this
is “the invention of a hagiographer”, because “of Ignatius himself little is
known”.
3. Pan.ChrHstou,
“Ignatios”, in ThreskeutikH kai HthikH Egkyklopaideia, vol. 6, Athens 1965,
col. 705.
4. M.W. Holmes (ed.),
The Apostolic Fathers Apollos-Leicester 1989, p.80.
5. W. R. Schoedel,
Ignatius of Antioch: A Commentary on the Letters, Philadelphia 1985, p.1.
6. DHm. Mpalanou,
Patrologia, Athens 1930, p.43ff.
7. Styl.
Papadopoulou, op. cit., p. 178.
8. A.D. Salapatas,
“The Diaconate in the Eastern Orthodox Church” in Diaconal Ministry, Past,
Present & Future, edited by Peyton G. Craighill, Rhode Island 1994, p.41.
9. Trall. 3,1;
Trall.7,2; Smyrn. 8,1; Polyc. 6,1.
10. Iak. PHlilH, H
ChristianikH IerosynH, Athens 1988, pp. 289-294.
11. Meth. Phougia,
Genesis kai Anaptysis tHs ChristianikHs IerosynHs, Athens 1972, p.79.
12. Magn. 6,1; Trall.
2 & 3,1. J. Pelilis, op. cit., p. 265.
13. According to Hans
von Campenhausen, “Just as Christ was united to his Father, so must Christians
be subject to their presbyters and deacons and all of them to the bishop…”.
(Ecclesiastical Authority and Spiritual Power in the Church of the First Three
Centuries London, p. 100).
14. J.R. Wright ,
“The Emergence of the Diaconate”, in Liturgy (Journal of the Liturgical
Conference), vol.2, No 4, Washington D.C. 1982, p.20.
15. L. Goppelt ,
Apostolic and Post-Apostolic Times, London 1970, p. 193.
16. Philad. 7,1.
17. “syndoulos”, in
Ephes. 2,1; Magn.2; Philad. 4; Smyrn 12,2. BibliothHkH EllHnon Pateron kai
EkklHstiastikon Syggrapheon, “Ignatios o Antiocheias”, vol. 2, Athens 1955, p.
261ff.
18. Magn.2.
19. James Ì. Âarnett,
The Diaconate – A Full and Equal Order, New York 1981, p. 50.
20. Magn. 6,1; Trall.
3,1.
21. “ton emoi
glykytaton”, in Magn. 6,1.
22. Magn. 6,1.
23. W.R. Schoedel,
op.cit., p.46.
24. Ibid.
25. Magn 2.
26. The particular
term used here by Ignatius is “presbytery” not “presbyters”, although this does
not seem to have any great significance.
27. J.V. Collins,
Diakonia: Re-interpreting the Ancient Sources, New York-Oxford 1990, p. 240.
28. W.R. Schoedel,
op.cit, pp. 113-4.
29. Trall. 3,1.
30. Magn. 6,1.
31. Ibid.
32. Magn. 13,2;
Trall. 3,1; Smyrn. 8,1.
33. Trall. 2,2 &
3,1; Philad 5,1; Smyrn. 8,1.
34. J.M. Barnett,
op.cit., pp. 50-1.
35. Ibid.
36. Matt.20,28; Mark
10,45.
37. Smyrn. 8,1;
Polyc. 6,1.
38. Polyc. Phil. 5,3.
39. R.N.Connoly,
Didascalia Apostolorum, Oxford 1929, p.88.
40. Apostolic
Constitutions 2,26,5.
41. Pant.Chanoglou,
Diakonikon, Edessa 1989, p.214.
42. A.Mingana (ed.),
Commentary of Theodore of Mopsuestia on the Lord’s Prayer and on the Sacraments
of Baptism and the Eucharist, Cambridge 1933, p. 84.
43. Diaconal stole.
44. R.F.Grein, The
Renewal of the Diaconate and the Ministry of the Laos, Rhode lsland 1991, p. 9.
Source: http://silouanthompson.net/library/history/ignatius-diaconate/
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