Who presides when a bishop visits a parish?

[Paul Cowan]

Metropolitan Saba of Bosra, Hauran, Jabal al-Arab, and Golan, Syria will be visiting and celebrating Vespers in my parish this Saturday night.

I am just a lowly alter server. I have been prepped for the service as best as our Deacon can. How do I, or should I even attempt to address him? I mean, this guy is like huge in the church. I suppose I should just try not to drip wax on him.

From what I understand Metropolitan Saba and Metropolitan Phillip are equal in the Antiochian church though over different geographical areas. Is Metropolitan Saba subordinate to Metropolitan Phillip while in America? This is his "turf" as I understand it.

I suppose I can ask him, but does the parish priest preside over the service? or does he relinquish this to the visiting senior Fr? Does a visiting senior Fr. always or even sometimes trump a parish priest?

When Bishop Basil attends our services he always presides over the services. Is this a courtesy the parish priest gives him or is this just expected from his position?

Thanks
Paul

[Alex Haig]

Metropolitan Saba of Bosra, Hauran, Jabal al-Arab, and Golan, Syria will be visiting and celebrating Vespers in my parish this Saturday night.

A very godly man, I haven't met him but I've heard many good things about and your parish is very priviliged.


I am just a lowly alter server. I have been prepped for the service as best as our Deacon can. How do I, or should I even attempt to address him?

Address him as you would any Bishop: in Antioch, the tradition is to say "Sayedna" (either on its own or followed by his name), this is a more informal address than "Your Eminence" and means something along the lines of "Master".

Remember to ask a blessing of him (and for that fact any Bishop or Priest) when you meet him. In many places, it's the tradition to kiss his hand whenever you give or take something from him (e.g. staff, dikiri/trikiri etc).


I mean, this guy is like huge in the church. I suppose I should just try not to drip wax on him.


I think you can tell a Cleric/Monk who's not Orthodox by the fact he hasn't got wax over him! Joking aside, spilling wax on anyone is not a good idea.



From what I understand Metropolitan Saba and Metropolitan Phillip are equal in the Antiochian church though over different geographical areas.

Correct. Met Philip is only senior to Met Saba since he was consecrated Bishop earlier.


Is Metropolitan Saba subordinate to Metropolitan Phillip while in America? This is his "turf" as I understand it.

I would say yes to this but I don't actually know.


I suppose I can ask him, but does the parish priest preside over the service? or does he relinquish this to the visiting senior Fr? Does a visiting senior Fr. always or even sometimes trump a parish priest?

It is a Bishop's place to preside in services, that's his job. Normally a visiting Priest would not preside unless he were asked by the Parish Priest. Having said that, if it is Vespers the Bishop is attending, he will [probably] wear his mantle and stand at the throne while the priest 'does' the service. You might notice that the Priest will not give a blessing during the service as this is the role of the Bishop and instead of saying "Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers ..." will say "Through the prayers of our Holy Master ..."


When Bishop Basil attends our services he always presides over the services. Is this a courtesy the parish priest gives him or is this just expected from his position?

I believe, given that you are Antiochian and in Texas, this is because Bp Basil is your Diocesan Bishop (the Archdiocese, of which Met Philip is the Primate, is divided into smaller local Dioceses, one being the Diocese of Wichita and Mid-America and Bp Basil is its Bishop).

Having said this, any Bishop, with the permission of your own Bishop, may preside at a service in your Church.

Wishing you a joyful Feast of the Ascension

Alex

[Paul Cowan]

Thank you Alex,

I will practise saying Say-edna? in my best southern drawl and will pay special attention to the wax.

Paul

[Paul Cowan]

This was a truly blessed night. And before you ask, no I did not spill any wax on him. Metropolitan Saba participated in our Vespers tonight. Our priest had said we might have several visiting priests. As I was getting ready and we had just begun, a priest came behind the alter and as I was nearest the S doors, I let him in. I bowed to him and said hello Father. He went to my priest and said a few words and turned to leave. I figured he was going to assist chant. Then I saw the pendant he was wearing.

I nearly fell backwards as I realized this was Metrpolitan Saba himself. I had not recognized him from his photo on the web. See page 5 of this link. http://www.stgeorgecathedral.net/messenger/current.pdf

This Holy man I met tonight was quiet, peaceful, and very approachable. NOT what I had envisioned a man of his position to be. He was laughing and telling jokes with the other priests. It was very warming to know just because you are a big shot, does not mean you have to act like one.

I personally was very impressed with His Eminence. Not that my opinion of him or anyone else matters.

Paul

[Alex Haig]

This Holy man I met tonight was quiet, peaceful, and very approachable. NOT what I had envisioned a man of his position to be. He was laughing and telling jokes with the other priests. It was very warming to know just because you are a big shot, does not mean you have to act like one.


Remember that the word laity, in its traditional sense, includes all clergy. They are not Deacons/Priests/Bishops because they are better than everyone else but that they have been chosen by the Church to fulfill a needed role: they are still one of us.

Wishing you a joyful feast of the Fathers of Nicea (and SS Helen & Constantine in advance)

Alex