COC Protocol

Charismatic Orthodox Church

Protocol

This page is only a primer for protocol activities within our communion. In developing this protocol, we tried to take into account common practice among other orthodox catholics and anglicans. Although we may have personal preferences, we have set these aside in order to provide a smoother flow and understanding with our fellow Christians hierarchy and customs. Many of these terms and titles are not used by the COC, but as you expand out into the world around us, and get out of our own backyard, we find a rich and diverse society of christians and we need to know how to speak to them with respect.

When addressing ministers within our communion please follow this protocol. We are not trying to create walls between us, but to only learn to use common courtesy. If you are applying or inquiring to the COC for the first time, a certain amount of understanding is called for, as it takes time to adjust. If however you disregard these directives altogether, you may find that your letters are returned unanswered. We have no place for rebellious men and women who will not follow instructions or offer common courtesy to those they talk with.

* Open your letter with the appropriate Heading, that is listed below, for the person that you are addressing.

* Give a complimentary greeting, such as:
His Name is Great in Israel
Let us Attend
Praise Honor and Blessings be unto the name of our Lord Jesus
The Lord bless you and keep you in your ministry
Blessed are those who are persecuted for My Names sake!

and others such as these from scripture are fine. Some refer to this as giving a kiss of peace via mail/email.

* Open and compose your letter.

* Give a complimentary close to your letter: such as

Repectfully Yours
Sincerely yours in Christ
His humble servant
His unworthy servant
With brotherly/sisterly love

and others that are appropriate such as these.

By getting in the habit of doing this now, you will find that you will gain more respect from the person that you are trying to talk with, and that you in turn will be accorded the dignity and honor that you deserve as a servant of Christ yourself.

Patriarch
ArchBishop
Metropolitan
Primate
Bishop
Auxiliary Bishop
Archimandrite
ArchPriest
Monsignor
ProtoPresbyter
Priest
Abbot
Pastor
Elder
ArchDeacon/ProtoDeacon
Deacon
Deaconess
Subdeacon
Matushka
Chancellor
Director/Administrator
Dean
Professor/Teacher
Monk
Nun
Anagnostes/Reader
Cantor
Seminary Student
Ecumenical Patriarch
Pope
Mar
Cardinal
Apostle, Prophet, Pastor, Evangelist, Teacher

Patriarch
*Envelope His Beatitude
+Symeon John I or another name

Greeting/ Your Beatitude +Symeon John I
beginning of letter

Invitation                              His Beatitude
                                              +Symeon John I
                                              Patriarch of the Charismatic Orthodox Church

Introduction/
Presentation                          His Beatitude
                                               Archbishop +Symeon John I
                                               Patriarch of the Charismatic Orthodox Church

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ArchBishop ... if Catholic use Excellency///if Orthodox use Eminence

Envelope                               The Most Reverand
                                               John Doe D.D. etc...
                                               ArchBishop of _______________

Greeting / Your Eminence ArchBishop +John Doe
beginning of letter

Invitation                               His Eminence
                                               +John Doe D.D. etc...
                                               ArchBishop of _______________

Introduction/
Presentation His Eminence
Archbishop John Doe
back to the top
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Metropolitan

This is a mainly eastern orthodox term, the rank is the same as that of ArchBishop and should be addressed the same except in using the term Metropolitan for ArchBishop.

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Primate

This is mainly a western and protestant term used to signify the archbishop of a large jurisdiction or entire jurisdiction. It is not used in the COC but its function is recognized by us. He is to be addressed in the same fashion as a Archbishop or Metropolitan.

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Bishop

Envelope                                The Most Reverend
                                                +John Doe D.D. etc....
                                                Bishop of _____________

Greeting/ Your Grace Bishop +John Doe
beginning of letter

Invitation His Grace
The Bishop of _________

Introduction/
Presentation                            The Most Reverend
                                                 John Doe
                                                 Bishop of______________

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Auxiliary Bishop

This bishop serves at the permission of a ArchBishop. He may have a territory or he may have assignments that make it necessary for him to carry the title of Bishop.

Envelope                                 The Most Reverend
                                                 +John Doe
                                                 Auxiliary Bishop of __________

Greeting/ Your Grace Bishop +John Doe
beginning of letter

Invitation His Grace
Auxiliary Bishop of _________

Introduction/
Presentation                            His Grace
                                                 John Doe
                                                 Auxiliary Bishop of__________
back to the top
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Archimandrite

Is a term used for the head of a large monastary, or even grouping of monataries or monks. He is similiar in rank to a ArchPriest with authority similiar to a bishop and answers to his Patriarch and respectfully to the local bishop. In some circles they are referred to as ArchAbbots, Abbots Generals and Titular Abbots. For Nuns you can compare this to a Mother Superior or Reverend Mother.

Envelope                                The Right Reverend
                                                John Doe
                                                Archimandrite of __________

Greeting
beginning of letter Your Grace John Doe

Invitation Your Grace
Archimandrite of__________

Introduction/
Presentation                           The Right Reverend
                                                John Doe
                                                Archimandrite of _________

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

ArchPriest
This is a person assigned by a bishop or archbishop to handle certain matters within the Church government. He would be thought of as first among priests in his diocese or subdiocese. It is possible for a priest in the COC to be elevated to Archpriest in order to begin handeling a future diocese or to administer government for a bishop or Patriarch.

Envelope The Very Reverend
John Doe

Greeting/
beginning of letter Reverend or Father Doe+

Invitation The Very Reverend
John Doe

Introduction/ The Very Reverend
Presentation John Doe

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Monsignor
This is very nearly exclusive to the Roman Catholic Church. The person is very much like a ArchPriest, however the designation comes only from a Papal appointment. And they generally oversee assignments given to them by the Vatican.

Envelope Reverend Monsignor
John Doe

Greeting/
beginning of letter Dear Monsignor Doe

Invitation Monsignor John Doe

Introduction/
Presentation Monsignor John Doe

back to the top
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ProtoPresbyter
This is a title that is given mainly in the Greek Orthodox Church, much like that of monsignor in the Roman Catholic Church. They are addressed just as you would a ArchPriest except when the use of the title is necessary.

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Priest

Envelope The Reverend
John Doe+

greeting/
beginning of letter Dear Fr. Doe+

Invitation Reverend John Doe+

Introduction/
Presentation Reverend or Father John Doe+

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Abbot

A abbot is the primary head of a monastary of monks. He is also a ordained priest in the COC and many other communions.

Envelope The Right Reverend
John Doe+

Greeting/
beginning of letter Right Reverend John Doe+,

Invitation Reverend John Doe
The Abbot of_________

Introductions/
presentations The Right Reverend John Doe
The Abbot of _____________
back to the top
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Pastor
The term pastor is a common term among christians of all faiths. It is more of a term of affection, than a clerical title. However, when dealing with protestants, follow the example of the Priest and substitute Pastor for Father. In the COC the only person that should be refered to as Pastor, is the local pastor of the parish. There may very well be more than one priest serving, however only the pastor should be addressed in this manner, and then as a rule, it should not be done by one priest to another unless you are serving in a capacity under the Pastor. It is a term more commonly held for the flock to use.

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Elder

This is a biblical term, and was used by the early church. It is a term similiar to Pastor and Father. It is used to describe function. It is mainly used in protestant circles by pentecostal, charismatic christians and is in very wide usage among African American Christians and in pentecostal regions around the world. There is no position of elder in the COC nor generally speaking in the sacramental churches. They would be known as Presbyters or Priests. Since the term is so varied in its usage it is difficult for us to issue a directive on its usage. Elders can range from ordained ministers, what we would think of as a priest, to Archpriestly types and even some bishopric functions. And it can be used in independent circles to include what would normally be thought of as the function of a deacon or even just a respected member of the church. Our advice, Ask!

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ArchDeacon/ProtoDeacon

Envelope Reverend Deacon Doe

Greetings/
beginning of letter Dear Reverend Deacon Doe

Invitation The Reverend Deacon Doe

Introductions/
Presentations Reverend Deacon Doe

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Deacon

Envelope Deacon John Doe

Greetings/
beginning of letter Dear Deacon Doe

Invitation The Deacon John Doe

Introduction/
Presentation Deacon Doe

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Deaconess

Used for women deacons. You may address the same as you do a deacon or you may substitute the term deaconess, but the offices are the same.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Subdeacon

Envelope Sub-Deacon John Doe

Greetings
beginning of letter Dear Brother Doe

Invitation The Sub-Deacon Doe

Introductions/
Presentations Brother John Doe

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Matushka

Matushka is a russian term of affection but it also recognizes a position within the community of believers. It is reserved for the wife of the senior priest of a parish. In the west it would be related to the mother of the Church. She on occasion is sometimes also a deaconess but this is not automatic.

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Chancellor

Is a important position within the educational seminary arm of the church. It is the person who oversees the education of a seminary program. All correspondence should be addressed with Chancellor John Doe as the inscription as well as introductions.

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Director/Administrator

Use the above designations with Mr or Mrs or Ms. before their name.

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Dean

Dean is in charge of a department within a seminary or educational institution. And should be addressed with Dean John Doe.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Professor/Teacher

College and Seminary Professors should be addressed as Professor John Doe
and Teachers as Mr or Ms.

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Monk

Envelope Brother John Doe

Greetings
beginning of letters Dear Brother John Doe

Invitation Brother John Doe

Introduction
Presentations Brother John

back to the top
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Sister/Nun

Envelope Sister Jane Doe

Greetings
beginning of letters Dear Sister Jane Doe

Invitation Sister Jane Doe

Introductions
Presentations Sister Jane

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Anagnostes/Reader
Cantor

These are positions that require the laying on of hands, and therefore the persons assigned to them should be refered to as a brother or sister.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Seminarian/Theologian

Unless they serve in the church they are to be referred to as Mr or Ms, Mrs if so appropriate.

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Ecumenical Patriarch

This is the title of the first among orthodox Patriarchs and he is associated with the Greek Orthodox church. If one is to be considered a part of the normative orthodox church, we refuse to use the term 'canonical' for none are that today, then a group should be in communion and recognized by the Ecumenical Patriarch. Out of respect for his office, our Patriarch has decided not to use the title, His Holiness, and that title has been reserved for the Ecumenical Patriarch and the Pope. We are not here to compete, nor show disrespect, Revolution does not equal rebellion. And even though we are not recognized by His Holiness, we nevertheless show him the respect that his position deserves.Presently this office is held by His Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomeos I. Use the same addressing as you would for any patriarch above, but use the expression His Holiness.

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Pope

In the world today, this generally means the Archbishop of Rome, the Roman Catholic Pope. It should also be noted, there are several eastern christian groups that use this term as well for their presiding bishop and have done so for centuries. They all should be addressed as the Patriarch above, but with the expression, His Holiness. Presently the Archbishop of Rome is John Paul II.

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Mar

in conjunction with the term Mor, and Moran this generally applies to a arabic bishop such as a syrian or iraqi, it is used instead of Patriarch or Pope in alot of situations. You may need to ask how the person prefers to be addressed.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Cardinal

Envelope His Eminence
John Cardinal Doe ( the cardinal always goes in middle)

Greeting
beginning of letter Your Eminence

Invitation His Eminence
John Cardinal Doe

Presentation
Introduction                              His Eminence
                                                  John Cardinal Doe
                                                  ArchBishop of__________

return to top

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Apostle, Prophet, Pastor, Evangelist, Teacher

These are recognized in the COC as mantles of service. For example our bishops are recognized as apostles. However we do not address each other by these offices. Instead we refer to them by their ministry rank. A prophet could be a unordained but recognized laymen all the way up to a Auxiliary Bishop. In protestant circles you will notice that ministers have adopted these titles. Ask before you leap. Or refer to the term Brother/Sister or perhaps Reverend. But even then you will find many variations. Again, ask!

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