Folia Theologica et Canonica 7. 29/21 (2018)

Ius canonicum

302

SZABOLCS ANZELM SZUROMI, O.Praem.

until very possible to the second half of the 2nd century. The difference between the status of bishop and the status of presbyter were not exactly clear in that time* 5 6, beside the authority for administering the single degrees of the Holy Order (ordo) which was expressively reserved to the bishop (episcopus). The so called “mono episcopatus" theory very probable appeared firstly in Antioch.'' Ignatius of Antioch’s letter to the Ephesians (around 110) speaks of the ecclesiastical hierarchy, which is classified into three offices, i.e. bishop, presbyter. deacon.7 8 Moreover, we know also from St. Justine that in Rome the deacon took the Holy Eucharist to faithful (A.D. 150) who were too far from the community of the Church and were not able to be present at the celebration of the Holy Sacrifice.*

I. Degrees of Holy Orders in writing of patristic authors

AND IN THE EARLY COUNCILS9 10 11

The degrees of Holy Orders (ordines) meant various types of services in the Church at the beginning. They were not arranged into one unified hierarchical order."’ Nevertheless, we know Tertullian’s opinion (after t220), which was explained in De praescriptione haereticorum. Therein he criticized the changing of degrees without any system. He distinguished orders of serving (these persons should not be called ‘priest’) from the orders which give character to the persons. Pope Innocent I (402-417) spoke about higher and lower orders. The ‘lower’ orders later were named ‘minor orders’", classified into: acolytus

[Sources Chrétiennes 248], Paris 1978. 184; cf. XetpoTOvnoaTe óBv éavroTi; é7UCKÓ7toix; Kai Suxkóvow; á^íoui; xoB Kupíov, áv5pa^ 7ipaeí<; Kai ácpiAapYÚpoix; Kai dAr|0eT^ Kai SeSoKtpaapévoua• úgTv yap AEtToopyoBat Kai áwoi xfiv Xetxoupyiav xcov 7tptpr|Tü)v Kai SiSaoKotaov. (...). Rodorf, W. - Tuilier, A. (ed.), La doctrine des douze apőtres. 192.

5 See Reynolds, R. E, Patristic ’presbiterianism’ in the Early Medieval Theology of Sacred Orders, in Medieval Studies 45 (1983) 311-342, especially 312-315.

6 Kurtscheid, B., Historia iuris canonici. Historia institutorum ab ecclesiae fundatione usque od Gratianum, Romae 1951.23-26.

7 Letter of St. Ignatius to the Ephesians, cf. Camelot, P.Th. (ed.), Ignace d’Antioche. Polycarpe de Smyrne. Lettres. Martyre de Polycarpe (Sources Chrétiennes 10), Paris 1969. 56-79.

8 Szuromi, Sz. A., Az. egyházi intézményrendszer története. Kánonjogtörténeti bevezetés (Szent István Kézikönyvek 15), Budapest 2017. 24.

9 In detail cf. Szuromi, Sz. A., Idoneitá per i santi servizi dal Nuovo Testamento alia fine del periodo romano, in Álvarez de las Asturias, N. - Brugnotto, G. - Paolini, S. (a cura di). Disce rnimento vocazionale e idoneitá al presbiterato nella tradizione canonica latina. Cittii del Vaticano 2018. 1-15.

10 Cf. Lemaire, A., L’Église apostolique et les ministéres, in Revue droit canonique 13 (1973) 19-46.

11 Kurtscheid, B„ Historia, 46-50.