Epitropy

Epitropia ( Greek Επιτροπή - commission ) - in Greek church law , as well as in Greek society - the structure of self-government .

Epitropy is formed by election . By voting (personal decree of the bishop ) members of the commissions (epitropes) are elected, who subsequently exercise executive power . In the event of a sudden illness of the bishop (leading the epitropy), resulting in his temporary inability to manage the diocese, the epitropy takes over the chairmanship of either the oldest epitropic or the epitropic holding the position of representative of the bishop.

Epitropy is internal and often temporary.

Epitropy happens to be episcopal, archbishop, metropolitan and patriarchal (depending on what title the bishop who collects it has; at the same time, if the bishop controls the metropolis, then the epitropy is still called metropolitan), as well as epitropy (most often the main or central) a certain diocese (regardless of the title of the bishop administering it).

Members of the epitropy are usually appointed personally by the bishops; at the same time, the position of an epitrope to a member of the commission may not be awarded. Epitropes, mainly in the Greek Church, have at the same time the posts of sakellarii , skevofilaksov , economists , treasurers and others. Thus, the charter of the Athos Panteleimon Monastery prescribes that “the executive authority of the monastery consists of the abbot, who is assisted by the epitropy (the board of trustees of three people), with whom he cooperates in all matters of an administrative and economic nature” (Article 13). Likewise, “the seal of the monastery is kept at the cash desk of the abbot's hall, the keys to which are located at the abbot and one of the epitopes” (Article 17). “In addition to general duties of an administrative nature, the first and second epitropes simultaneously fulfill the duties of treasurers. They have the keys to the small treasury (box office) located in the cathedral hall, receive money and make payments for current expenses within the framework defined by the cathedral of elders. All receipts and payments must be carried out in the cathedral hall of the monastery ”(Article 18), and“ the third epitrope performs the duties of an economist, and under his direct control are monastery workers, pack animals and other means of transportation. He also monitors gardens, vineyards and other monastic property; takes special care of the monastery’s forest. The forester from the monastic brotherhood helps him in this ”(Article 19). In order to understand what position the epitropus occupies, it is entered in brackets. For example: epitropic (economy), etc. The rarest epitropic position is the Representative of the bishop. At its core, it is diplomatic, since this epitope represents the interests of the bishop outside the canonical territory of his diocese (due to the prohibition of the bishop to leave the boundaries of his diocese - the 14th rule of the Holy Apostles): to organize joint services for bishops, pilgrimage trips; Presentation at official events and meetings. An epitropic (representative) may also be an adviser to a bishop. All his activities (diplomatic mission) are based on 32, 39 and 41 of the rules of St. Apostles, 2 rule of the Second Ecumenical Council (of Constantinople), 8 rule of the Fourth Ecumenical Council (of Chalcedon), 2 rule of the Truly Cathedral, 11 rule of the Local Council of Antioch; and the activity is confirmed by a Representative letter (33 rule of the Holy Apostles) and a document confirming the epitropic appointment (eg, Epitropic certificate). Both of these documents can be placed in a folder in which diplomatic notes and other especially important documents can be filed. According to the specifics of their activities, Epitropes (representatives) can be identified with nunciations, which are equal in rights with diplomats; therefore, epitropes (representatives) can be safely considered diplomats (especially since in many countries of the world the Church is separated from the state). In fact, the post of epitrope and nuncio is identical to the post of ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to secular diplomacy. That is why sometimes, as a clarification, they write: epitrophe (ambassador-Representative).