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85-454: Bible churches can be ruled by elders, being of presbyterian polity (not to be confused with Presbyterianism ) or could adhere to episcopal polity (in which a denomination has bishops) or congregationalist polity . In general, Bible churches are committed to expository preaching , often by teaching verse-by-verse through an entire book of the Bible. This practice, fueled by the belief that

170-454: A reader (one of the minor orders of the Church). It is sometimes said that he was bitten by a snake when he was ten years old, leading to him getting an infection from the bite. As a result of his mother's influential connections in the city, John began his education under the pagan preacher Libanius . From Libanius, John acquired the skills for a career in rhetoric , as well as a love of

255-526: A saint soon after his death. Almost immediately after, an anonymous supporter of John (known as pseudo-Martyrius) wrote a funeral oration to reclaim John as a symbol of Christian orthodoxy . But three decades later, some of his adherents in Constantinople remained in schism . Proclus , archbishop of Constantinople (434–446), hoping to bring about the reconciliation of the Johannites, preached

340-452: A homily praising his predecessor in the Church of Hagia Sophia . He said, "O John, your life was filled with sorrow, but your death was glorious. Your grave is blessed and reward is great, by the grace and mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ O graced one, having conquered the bounds of time and place! Love has conquered space, unforgetting memory has annihilated the limits, and place does not hinder

425-410: A presbytery exists perpetually. The officers of a presbytery are a moderator and a stated or principal clerk . The moderator acts as chair of presbytery meetings. As with the moderators of synods and assemblies, the moderatorship is a primus inter pares position appointed by the presbytery itself. The moderator is addressed as "moderator" during meetings, but their position has no bearing outside of

510-592: A result of this, he was further exiled from Cucusus (where he stayed from 404 to 407) to Pitiunt (Pityus) (in modern Georgia ). He never reached this destination alive, as he died at Comana Pontica (modern-day Gümenek, Tokat , Turkey) on 14 September 407 during the journey. He died in the Presbyterium or community of the clergy belonging to the church of Saint Basiliscus of Comana . His last words are said to have been " Δόξα τῷ Θεῷ πάντων ἕνεκεν " ('Glory be to God for all things'). John came to be venerated as

595-460: A saint (with feast days on 16 Thout and 17 Hathor ). John was born in Antioch , Roman Syria (modern-day Antakya , Hatay , Turkey) in 347 AD. Different scholars describe his mother Anthusa as a pagan or as a Christian. His father was a high-ranking military officer. John's father died soon after his birth and he was raised by his mother. He was baptised in 368 or 373, and tonsured as

680-402: A struggle between Johannite and anti-Johannite camps in Constantinople soon after John's departure and for a few years after his death". Faced with exile, John Chrysostom wrote an appeal for help to three churchmen: Pope Innocent I ; Venerius , the bishop of Mediolanum ( Milan ); and Chromatius , the bishop of Aquileia . In 1872, church historian William Stephens wrote: The Patriarch of

765-676: A supreme arbitrator; assistance and sympathy are solicited from him as from an elder brother, and two other prelates of Italy are joint recipients with him of the appeal. Pope Innocent I protested John's banishment from Constantinople to the town of Cucusus ( Göksun ) in Cappadocia , but to no avail. Innocent sent a delegation to intercede on behalf of John in 405. It was led by Gaudentius of Brescia ; Gaudentius and his companions, two bishops, encountered many difficulties and never reached their goal of entering Constantinople. John wrote letters which still held great influence in Constantinople. As

850-415: Is also distinct from congregationalism , in that individual congregations are not independent, but are answerable to the wider church, through its governing bodies (presbyteries, synods and assemblies). Moreover, the ordained ministry possesses a distinct responsibility for preaching and sacraments. Congregational churches are sometimes called "Presbyterian" if they are governed by a council of elders; but

935-758: Is also regarded as one of the four Great Greek Church Fathers The feast days of John Chrysostom in the Eastern Orthodox Church are 14 September, 13 November and 27 January. In the Roman Catholic Church he is recognized as a Doctor of the Church . Because the date of his death is occupied by the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (14 September), the General Roman Calendar celebrates him since 1970 on

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1020-809: Is an extremely brief one, the Paschal Homily ( Hieratikon ), which is read at the first service of Pascha (Easter) , the midnight Orthros ( Matins ), in the Eastern Orthodox Church . Chrysostom's extant homiletical works are vast, including many hundreds of exegetical homilies on both the New Testament (especially the works of Paul the Apostle ) and the Old Testament (particularly on Genesis ). Among his exegetical works are sixty-seven homilies on Genesis, fifty-nine on

1105-671: Is dying of hunger? Start by satisfying his hunger and then with what is left you may adorn the altar as well. His straightforward understanding of the Scriptures – in contrast to the Alexandrian tendency towards allegorical interpretation – meant that the themes of his talks were practical, explaining the Bible's application to everyday life. Such straightforward preaching helped Chrysostom to garner popular support. One incident that happened during his service in Antioch illustrates

1190-411: Is for the service of the congregation, to pray for them and to encourage them in the faith. The elders together exercise oversight (episcopacy) over the local congregation, with superior groups of elders gathered on a regional basis exercising wider oversight. Presbyterians typically have viewed this method of government as approximating that of the New Testament and earliest churches. Presbyterianism

1275-428: Is governed by a body of elected elders usually called the session (or consistory ), though other terms, such as church board , may apply. Groups of local churches are governed by a higher assembly of elders known as the presbytery or classis ; presbyteries can be grouped into a synod , and presbyteries and synods nationwide often join together in a general assembly . Responsibility for conduct of church services

1360-454: Is his emphasis on care for the needy. Echoing themes found in the Gospel of Matthew, he calls upon the rich to lay aside materialism in favor of helping the poor, often employing all of his rhetorical skills to shame wealthy people to abandon conspicuous consumption : Do you pay such honor to your excrements as to receive them into a silver chamber-pot when another man made in the image of God

1445-462: Is not as clear under the Presbyterian system as in others). The terms 'lay' and 'clergy' are not properly used in presbyterian polity. Ministers may be considered equal in status with the other elders, but they have a distinct ordination and distinct function. They are the primary preachers and teachers, celebrants of sacraments. There are sometimes further distinctions between the minister and

1530-493: Is often appointed for an indefinite term. Presbytery Clerks are the ecclesiastical administrators and generally regarded as substantially influential due to their greater experience of the governance of the church and their ordering of the business of the presbytery. They are thus very much more than secretaries and often in fact are the lynch pin of the organisation. Presbyteries meet at a regularity between monthly and quarterly, some half-yearly. In denominations too large for all

1615-512: Is perishing in the cold? Along these lines, he wrote often about the need for almsgiving and its importance alongside fasting and prayer, e.g. "Prayer without almsgiving is unfruitful." Cyril of Alexandria attributed the destruction of the Ephesian Temple of Artemis to John Chrysostom, referring to him as "the destroyer of the demons and overthrower of the temple of Diana". A later Archbishop of Constantinople, Proclus repeated

1700-423: Is reserved to an ordained minister or pastor known as a teaching elder , or a minister of the word and sacrament. Presbyterian polity was developed as a rejection of governance by hierarchies of single bishops ( episcopal polity ), but also differs from the congregationalist polity in which each congregation is independent. In contrast to the other two forms, authority in the presbyterian polity flows both from

1785-533: Is to speak about issues or topics that commissioners would usually not worry about or care to speak about during a General Assembly meeting. Advisory Delegates may not present motions or vote in meetings of the General Assembly. The powers of the general assembly are usually wide-ranging. However, they may be limited by some form of external review. For example, the rules of the Church of Scotland include

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1870-732: Is usually considered a demarcation issue, distinguishing "liberal" from "conservative" Presbyterian denominations. In North America, the Reformed Church in America , Christian Reformed Church in North America (both of Dutch Reformed heritage), Cumberland Presbyterian Church , ECO: A Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians , Evangelical Presbyterian Church , Presbyterian Church in Canada , and Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) are denominations with presbyterian polity which allow for

1955-574: The Antiochian school (i.e., more literal in interpreting biblical events), but he also uses a good deal of the allegorical interpretation more associated with the Alexandrian school . John's social and religious world was formed by the continuing and pervasive presence of paganism in the life of the city. One of his regular topics was the paganism in the culture of Constantinople, and in his homilies he thunders against popular pagan amusements:

2040-621: The Barrier Act , which requires that certain major changes to the polity of the church be referred to the presbyteries, before being enacted by the general assembly. There may be issues arising between annual General Assemblies which require urgent attention. In these cases some presbyterian churches have a 'commission of assembly' who will deal with the issue and refer it to the next General Assembly for homologation. The word Presbyterianism , when capitalized, often refers specifically to churches founded on principles of presbyterian polity in

2125-574: The British Isles and their derivatives in other countries. In France , presbyterianism was represented by the Église réformée de France . There are also Lutherans and Evangelicals. The logo is a Huguenot Cross ( Croix huguenote ) with the burning bush. The origins of the Waldensian Evangelical Church lie in the medieval Waldensian movement for religious reform. The Waldensians adopted Calvinist theology during

2210-535: The Hungarian Reformed Church there remain bishops who have a superintending role. Presbyterian polity is constructed on specific assumptions about the form of the government intended by the Bible : Presbyterianism uses a conciliar method of church government (that is, leadership by the group or council). Thus, the ministers and "elders" govern together as a group, and at all times the office

2295-603: The Kirk session , church session, or (in Continental Reformed usage) consistory . In some Continental Reformed churches, deacons are members of the consistory; others, such as the Christian Reformed Church in North America , distinguish between the consistory, comprising the pastor and elders, and the council, which comprises the pastor(s), the elders, and the deacons. In most denominations

2380-621: The Psalms , ninety on the Gospel of Matthew , eighty-eight on the Gospel of John , and fifty-five on the Acts of the Apostles . The homilies were written down by stenographers and subsequently circulated, revealing a style that tended to be direct and greatly personal, but formed by the rhetorical conventions of his time and place. In general, his homiletical theology displays much characteristic of

2465-666: The miracles of the saint." These homilies helped to mobilize public opinion, and the patriarch received permission from the emperor to return Chrysostom's relics to Constantinople, where they were enshrined in the Church of the Holy Apostles on 28 January 438. The Eastern Orthodox Church commemorates him as a "Great Ecumenical Teacher", with Basil the Great and Gregory the Theologian . These three saints, in addition to having their own individual commemorations throughout

2550-418: The ruling elder . An excerpt from Miller (1831) expands this. In every Church completely organized, that is, furnished with all the officers which Christ has instituted and which are necessary for carrying into full effect the laws of his kingdom, there ought to be three classes of officers, viz: at least one Teaching Elder, Bishop, or Pastor — a bench of Ruling Elders — and Deacons. The first to "minister in

2635-455: The shabbat , submitted to circumcision and made pilgrimage to Jewish holy places. There had been a revival of Jewish faith and tolerance in Antioch in 361, so Chrysostom's followers and the greater Christian community were in contact with Jews frequently, and Chrysostom was concerned that this interaction would draw Christians away from their faith identity. John claimed that synagogues were full of Christians, especially Christian women, on

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2720-417: The theatre , horseraces , and the revelry surrounding holidays. In particular, he criticizes Christians for taking part in such activities: If you ask [Christians] who is Amos or Obadiah , how many apostles there were or prophets, they stand mute; but if you ask them about the horses or drivers, they answer with more solemnity than sophists or rhetors. One of the recurring features of John's homilies

2805-537: The Bible church movement has largely been attributed to the Dallas Theological Seminary , which is a leading dispensationalist institution. This Christianity -related article is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Presbyterian polity Presbyterian (or presbyteral ) polity is a method of church governance (" ecclesiastical polity ") typified by the rule of assemblies of presbyters , or elders. Each local church

2890-576: The Bible is inerrant, God-breathed , and sufficient (born from the Protestant teachings of Sola Scriptura or Prima Scriptura ), is central to the essence of most Bible churches, and is the origin of their name. Bible churches almost universally hold to the doctrine of sola fide or justification by faith, a teaching born out of the Reformation . In addition, many, though not all, Bible churches are premillennial dispensationalists , as

2975-462: The Christians had not taken him from us". John lived in extreme asceticism and became a hermit in about 375; he spent the next two years continually standing, scarcely sleeping, and committing the Bible to memory. As a consequence of these practices, his stomach and kidneys were permanently damaged and poor health forced him to return to Antioch. John was first appointed as a reader in

3060-688: The Eastern Rome appeals to the great bishops of the West, as the champions of an ecclesiastical discipline which he confesses himself unable to enforce, or to see any prospect of establishing. No jealousy is entertained of the Patriarch of the Old Rome by the patriarch of the New Rome. The interference of Innocent is courted, a certain primacy is accorded him, but at the same time he is not addressed as

3145-510: The Greek language and literature . Eventually, he became a lawyer. As he grew older, however, John became more deeply committed to Christianity and went on to study theology under Diodore of Tarsus , founder of the re-constituted School of Antioch . According to the Christian historian Sozomen , Libanius was supposed to have said on his deathbed that John would have been his successor "if

3230-628: The Holy Spirit. In presbyterianism, congregations are united in accountability to a regional body called the presbytery, or, in Continental Reformed terminology, the classis , which comes from the Latin word for "fleet". Presbyteries are made up of all the teaching and ruling elders in a particular geographic region. In some Dutch Reformed bodies, a classis serves as a delegated body, which ceases to exist in between meetings, whereas

3315-1416: The Reformation and became the Italian branch of the Reformed churches. In 1975 the Waldensian Church joined with the Italian Methodist Church to form the Union of Waldensian and Methodist Churches , which is a member of the World Council of Churches , the World Communion of Reformed Churches , and the World Methodist Council . Notes Citations Chrysostom Autocephaly recognized by some autocephalous Churches de jure : Autocephaly and canonicity recognized by Constantinople and 3 other autocephalous Churches: Spiritual independence recognized by Georgian Orthodox Church: Semi-Autonomous: John Chrysostom ( / ˈ k r ɪ s ə s t ə m , k r ɪ ˈ s ɒ s t ə m / ; Greek : Ἰωάννης ὁ Χρυσόστομος, Latin : Ioannes Chrysostomus ; c.  347  – 14 September 407 AD)

3400-572: The Word and Doctrine", and to dispense the sacraments; — the second to assist in the inspection and government of the Church; — and the third to "serve tables"; that is, to take care of the Church's funds destined for the support of the poor, and sometimes to manage whatever relates to the temporal support of the gospel and its ministers. Depending upon the specific denomination, teaching elders may also be referred to with terms such as "Minister of Word and Sacrament". The elders are persons chosen from among

3485-522: The agenda. General assemblies meet less regularly than their subordinate courts, often annually, or in the case of the Presbyterian Church (USA), every other year. The General Assembly also has members serve as Advisory Delegates. There are four different types of advisory delegates, each with a focus on a different area in the Presbyterian Church like young adult, theological student, missionary and ecumenical. The role of an advisory delegate

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3570-469: The allegation, saying "In Ephesus, he despoiled the art of Midas". Both claims are considered spurious. During his first two years as a presbyter in Antioch (386–387), John denounced Jews and Christians in a series of eight homilies delivered to Christians in his congregation who were taking part in Jewish festivals and other Jewish observances. It is disputed whether the main targets were specifically

3655-404: The assembly meeting and affords him/her no special place in other courts. He or she presides over meetings of the assembly, and may be called on in a representative function for the remainder of the year. The stated clerk and deputy clerk of the general assembly administer the minutes, correspondence, and business of the assembly. In some cases a separate business convenor is appointed to deal with

3740-405: The body in diseases. ... [The men] have done an insult to nature itself. And a yet more disgraceful thing than these is it, when even the women seek after these intercourses, who ought to have more sense of shame than men. He says the active male victimizes the passive male in a way that leaves him more enduringly dishonored than even a victim of murder since the victim of this act must "live under"

3825-495: The body of Christ? Do not ignore him when he is naked. Do not pay him homage in the temple clad in silk, only then to neglect him outside where he is cold and ill-clad. He who said: "This is my body" is the same who said: "You saw me hungry and you gave me no food", and "Whatever you did to the least of my brothers you did also to me"... What good is it if the Eucharistic table is overloaded with golden chalices when your brother

3910-729: The cathedral built by Constantius II was burnt down, necessitating the construction of the second cathedral on the site, the Theodosian Hagia Sophia . Around 405, John began to lend moral and financial support to Christian monks who were enforcing the emperors' anti-pagan laws, by destroying temples and shrines in Phoenicia and nearby regions. The causes of John's exile are not clear, though Jennifer Barry suggests that they have to do with his connections to Arianism . Other historians, including Wendy Mayer and Geoffrey Dunn, have argued that "the surplus of evidence reveals

3995-429: The church of Antioch by Zeno of Verona upon the latter's return from Jerusalem. Later, he was ordained as a deacon in 381 by the bishop Meletius of Antioch who was not then in communion with Alexandria and Rome. After the death of Meletius, John separated himself from the followers of Meletius, without joining Paulinus , the rival of Meletius for the bishopric of Antioch . But after the death of Paulinus (388) he

4080-801: The common people, but unpopular with wealthy citizens and the clergy. His reforms of the clergy were also unpopular. He told visiting regional preachers to return to the churches they were meant to be serving – without any pay-out. He also founded a number of hospitals in Constantinople. His time in Constantinople was more tumultuous than his time in Antioch. Theophilus , the patriarch of Alexandria , wanted to bring Constantinople under his sway and opposed John's appointment to Constantinople. Theophilus had disciplined four Egyptian monks (known as "the Tall Brothers ") over their support of Origen 's teachings. They fled to John and were welcomed by him. Theophilus therefore accused John of being too partial to

4165-466: The congregation and "installed" to a permanent pastorate by the presbytery, have votes as members of the session on any and all matters; however, often they refrain from voting except in tie situations. The Pastor is not a voting member of the congregation. With the Session there is one person, usually an elder but not always, who will be given the title, "Clerk of Session". This person is more or less

4250-462: The congregation and ordained for this service. Beyond that, practices vary: sometimes elders are elected by the congregation, sometimes appointed by the session, in some denominations elders serve for life, others have fixed terms, and some churches appoint elders on a rotation from among willing members in good standing in the church. However, in many churches, ruling elders retain their ordination for life, even though they serve fixed terms. Even after

4335-479: The constituent presbyteries are members of the synod. Like the commissioners to presbyteries, the commissioners to synods do not act on instruction from their congregations or presbyteries, but exercise their own judgement. A synod also has a moderator and clerk, and generally meet less often than the presbytery. Some presbyterian churches, like the Church of Scotland , Orthodox Presbyterian Church and Presbyterian Church in America have no intermediate court between

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4420-629: The dedication ceremonies as pagan and spoke against the empress in harsh terms: "Again Herodias raves, again she dances, and again desires to receive John's head on a charger", an allusion to the events surrounding the death of John the Baptist . Once again he was banished, this time to the Caucasus in Abkhazia . His banishment sparked riots among his supporters in the capital, and in the fighting

4505-414: The difference is that every local congregation is independent, and its elders are accountable to its members, and congregationalism's wider assemblies are not ordinarily empowered to enforce discipline. Thus, these are ruled by elders only at the level of the congregations, which are united with one another by covenants of trust. There are two types of elder; the teaching elder (see Minister below) and

4590-401: The elders. In some cases deacons administer the welfare matters of the congregation, while a separate board of management or trustees administers the other material business ( temporalities ) of the congregation, such as its endowments, salaries and buildings. A session is a corporate body of teaching and ruling elders elected by a particular church. sessio from sedere "to sit"), sometimes

4675-498: The eloquence of his public speaking at the Golden Church, Antioch's cathedral , especially his insightful expositions of Bible passages and moral teaching. The most valuable of his works from this period are his homilies on various books of the Bible. He emphasised charitable giving and was concerned with the spiritual and temporal needs of the poor. He spoke against abuse of wealth and personal property: Do you wish to honour

4760-452: The end of their terms, they may be active in presbyteries or other bodies, and may serve communion. In addition to sitting on the session and other church courts, ruling elders have duties as individuals. Again, Miller (1831) explains, It is their duty to have an eye of inspection and care over all the members of the congregation; and, for this purpose, to cultivate a universal and intimate acquaintance, as far as may be, with every family in

4845-411: The evil was only in desire. For the greater part of it came of their luxuriousness, which also kindled into flame their lust". According to scholar Michael Carden, Chrysostom was particularly influential in shaping early Christian thought that same-sex desire was an evil, claiming that he altered a traditional interpretation of Sodom as a place of inhospitality to one where the sexual transgressions of

4930-437: The flock of which they are made "overseers". In some denominations they are called Ministers of Word and Sacrament , and in others they are called Teaching Elders . Ministers called to a particular congregation are called pastors , and serve a function analogous to clergy in other denominations. (Because ruling elders are often ordained in a fashion nearly identical to teaching elders, the distinction between lay and clergy

5015-547: The general population of the city: many pagans converted to Christianity as a result of the homilies. The city was ultimately spared from severe consequences. In the autumn of 397, John was appointed archbishop of Constantinople , after having been nominated without his knowledge by the eunuch Eutropius . He had to leave Antioch in secret due to fears that the departure of such a popular figure would cause civil unrest. During his time as archbishop he adamantly refused to host lavish social gatherings, which made him popular with

5100-635: The homilies are called Kata Ioudaiōn ( Κατὰ Ἰουδαίων ), which is translated as Adversus Judaeos in Latin and 'Against the Jews' in English. The original Benedictine editor of the homilies, Bernard de Montfaucon , gives the following footnote to the title: "A discourse against the Jews; but it was delivered against those who were Judaizing and keeping the fasts with them [the Jews]." According to Patristics scholars, opposition to any particular view during

5185-417: The influence of his homilies. When Chrysostom arrived in Antioch, Flavian, the bishop of the city, had to intervene with emperor Theodosius I on behalf of citizens who had gone on a rampage mutilating statues of the emperor and his family. During the weeks of Lent in 387, John preached more than twenty homilies in which he entreated the people to see the error of their ways. These made a lasting impression on

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5270-414: The late 4th century was conventionally expressed in a manner, using the rhetorical form known as the psogos, whose literary conventions were to vilify opponents in an uncompromising manner; thus, it has been argued that to call Chrysostom an "anti-Semite" is to employ anachronistic terminology in a way incongruous with historical context and record. This does not preclude assertions that Chrysostom's theology

5355-417: The norm for church government. St. Jerome (347–420) "In Epistle Titus", vol. iv, said, "Elder is identical with bishop; and before the urging of the devil gave rise to factionalism in religion, so much that it was being said among the people, 'I am of Paul, I of Apollos, I of Cephas', the churches were governed by a joint council of elders. After it was... decreed throughout the world that one chosen from among

5440-524: The ordination of women. The general assembly of a denomination often decides on what grounds a person may be ordained, but the ordination of ministers is the right of the presbytery or classis, and the right to extend a call to a minister is the privilege of the members of the parish or congregation. The office of deacon has different meanings among different presbyterian churches. In some churches, deacons exercise responsibility for practical matters of finance and fabric, either separately or together with

5525-425: The other elders. Some Presbyterian denominations enroll ministers as members of their respective congregations, while others enroll the minister as a member of the regional presbytery. The presbyteries are responsible for the ordination of the ministers. Until the 20th century, only men had been eligible for ordination as elders or ministers of the word and sacrament. This is widely not the case any longer, although it

5610-464: The pastor serves as Moderator and presides over the session ( primus inter pares ), in which all elders have an equal vote. In some denominations, the pastor is not given a vote; however, in a sitting body of an even number or with a quorum of the session counted they can break a tie by a casting vote. In the Polity of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the pastor and associate pastor(s), if elected by

5695-540: The people became "tumultuous" over his departure, even threatening to burn the imperial palace. There was an earthquake the night of his arrest, which Eudoxia took for a sign of God's anger, prompting her to ask Arcadius for John's reinstatement. Peace was short-lived. A silver statue of Eudoxia was erected in the Augustaion , near his cathedral, the Constantinian Hagia Sophia . John denounced

5780-573: The presbyters should be placed over the others." This observation was also made by Chrysostom (349–407) in "Homilia i, in Phil. i, 1" and Theodoret (393–457) in "Interpret ad. Phil. iii", 445. Aerius of Sebaste also attacked the episcopal polity in the 4th century. Presbyterianism was first described in detail by Martin Bucer of Strasbourg , who believed that the early Christian church implemented presbyterian polity. The first modern implementation

5865-446: The presbytery and the general assembly. The general assembly (or general synod ) is the highest court of presbyterian polity. Each presbytery selects a number of its members to be commissioners to the general assembly. The general assembly is chaired by its own moderator , who is usually elected to a single term. He or she is addressed as moderator during meetings, but like the other moderators, their position has no bearing outside of

5950-416: The presbytery meeting and affords him/her no special place in other courts, although typically the moderator (especially if a member of the clergy) will conduct worship and oversee ordinations and installations of ministers as a "liturgical" bishop, and other ordinances which are seen as acts of the presbytery. The stated or principal clerk takes minutes and deals with the correspondence of the presbytery, and

6035-522: The previous day, 13 September; from the 13th century to 1969 it did so on 27 January, the anniversary of the translation of his body to Constantinople. Of other Western churches, including Anglican provinces and Lutheran churches, some commemorate him on 13 September, others on 27 January. John Chrysostom is honored on the calendars of the Church of England and the Episcopal Church on 13 September. The Coptic Church also recognizes him as

6120-508: The secretary for Session. They take notes on each meeting and are responsible for records of the congregation. In addition they find a wide area of responsibility, including responsibility for conduct of worship should a minister suddenly not be available. Although it is the responsibility of the Moderator (minister), Session Clerks often have the ability to assist in keeping meetings on track due to skills which are received from experience and

6205-465: The shabbats and Jewish festivals, because they loved the solemnity of the Jewish liturgy and enjoyed listening to the shofar on Rosh Hashanah , and applauded famous preachers in accordance with the contemporary custom. Due to Chrysostom's stature in the Christian church, both locally and within the greater church hierarchy, his sermons were fairly successful in spreading anti-Jewish sentiment. In Greek

6290-551: The shame of the "insolency". The victim of a murder, by contrast, carries no dishonor. He asserts that punishment will be found in Hell for such transgressors and that women can be guilty of the sin as much as men. Chrysostom argues that the male passive partner has effectively renounced his manhood and become a woman – such an individual deserves to be "driven out and stoned". He attributes the cause to "luxury". "Do not, he means (Paul), because you have heard that they burned, suppose that

6375-517: The so called "Judaizers" or Jews in general. His homilies were expressed in the conventional manner, using the uncompromising rhetorical form known as the psogos (Greek: blame, censure). One of the purposes of these homilies was to prevent Christians from participating in Jewish customs, and thus prevent the perceived erosion of Chrysostom's flock. In his homilies, John criticized those "Judaizing Christians", who were participating in Jewish festivals and taking part in other Jewish observances, such as

6460-611: The teaching of Origen. He made another enemy in Aelia Eudoxia , wife of emperor Arcadius , who assumed that John's denunciations of extravagance in feminine dress were aimed at her. Eudoxia, Theophilus and other of his enemies held a synod in 403 (the Synod of the Oak ) to charge John, in which his connection to Origen was used against him. It resulted in his deposition and banishment. He was called back by Arcadius almost immediately, as

6545-512: The top down (as higher assemblies exercise limited but important authority over individual congregations, e.g., only the presbytery can ordain ministers, install pastors, and start up, close, and approve relocating a congregation) and from the bottom up (e.g., the moderator and officers are not appointed from above but are rather elected by and from among the members of the assembly). This theory of governance developed in Geneva under John Calvin and

6630-559: The work of the denomination to be done by a single presbytery, the parishes may be divided into several presbyteries under synods and general assemblies , the synod being the lower court of the two. In the United Church of Canada , this is referred to as "conferences" and "General Council". However, the United Church of Canada does not bear the formal ecclesiastical structure of classic Presbyterianism. Often all members of

6715-551: The year, are commemorated together on 30 January, a feast known as the Synaxis of the Three Hierarchs . In the Eastern Orthodox Church there are several feast days dedicated to him: In 1908 Pope Pius X named him the patron saint of preachers. Some 700 sermons and 246 letters by John Chrysostom survive, plus biblical commentaries, moral discourses, and theological treatises. The best known of his many homilies

6800-445: Was a form of anti-Jewish supersessionism . His sermons against Jews gave further momentum to the idea that Jews are collectively responsible for the death of Jesus . John Chrysostom’s most notable discourse in this regard is his fourth homily on Romans 1:26 , where he argues as follows: All these affections then were vile, but chiefly the mad lust after males; for the soul is more the sufferer in sins, and more dishonored, than

6885-663: Was among the most prolific authors in the early Christian Church. He is honored as a saint in the Eastern Orthodox , Oriental Orthodox , Catholic , Anglican , and Lutheran churches, as well as in some others. The Eastern Orthodox, together with the Byzantine Catholics , hold him in special regard as one of the Three Holy Hierarchs (alongside Basil the Great and Gregory of Nazianzus ). Along with them and Athanasius of Alexandria he

6970-462: Was an important Early Church Father who served as Archbishop of Constantinople . He is known for his preaching and public speaking , his denunciation of abuse of authority by both ecclesiastical and political leaders, his Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom , and his ascetic sensibilities. The epithet Χρυσόστομος ( Chrysostomos , anglicized as Chrysostom) means "golden-mouthed" in Greek and denotes his celebrated eloquence. Chrysostom

7055-663: Was by the Geneva church under the leadership of John Calvin in 1541. In the early days of the Scottish Reformation there were Superintendents. There were also Tulchan Bishops and Archbishops. Much of the history of the Church of Scotland and the nation itself is bound up with the relation between Episcopalianism , which the Protestant monarchs favoured, and the Presbyterianism of the reformers. In

7140-455: Was introduced to Scotland by John Knox after his period of exile in Geneva. It is strongly associated with French , Dutch , Swiss and Scottish Reformation movements, and the Reformed and Presbyterian churches . Among the early church fathers, it was noted that the offices of elder and bishop were identical, and were not differentiated until later, and that plurality of elders was

7225-477: Was ordained a presbyter (priest) by Evagrius of Antioch , the successor of Paulinus by the Eustathian faction in the city. He was destined later to bring about reconciliation between Flavian I of Antioch , Alexandria, and Rome, thus bringing those three sees into communion for the first time in nearly seventy years. In Antioch, over the course of twelve years (386–397), John gained popularity because of

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