Liturgical and Hierarchical Specifics of the Rank of Archimandrite in the Russian Orthodox Church: Historical Analysis and Current Situation

Abstract

The proposed article is an attempt to substantiate the practice of elevation to the rank of archimandrite in different time periods of the history of the Russian Orthodox Church. The purpose of this study is to study the circumstances of the appearance and conditions of the spread of this dignity in Russia, analyze its development and determine its place in the modern system of awards for clergy. For this purpose, the liturgical features that archimandrites could use at the beginning of the Synodal period and earlier are analyzed, the symbolic significance of these differences is assessed, and the experience of elevation to this rank is considered. The study helped to understand that nowadays a special reverence for the hierarchical awards of the clergy continues to be observed. The long inter-award period testifies to the uniqueness of hierarchical awards and significantly elevates their dignity. Familiarity with the modern award system of the clergy showed that the results of the award reform in 2017 they are reflected in a special document and broadcast the positive experience of awarding the clergy of all previous years. Without a doubt, it was the exemplary practice of awarding that developed during the Synodal period that influenced the formation of the award system in its modern form. The system of liturgical awards of the clergy of the Russian Orthodox Church formed at that time proved to be an important tool in encouraging clerics, and also played a significant role in approving the rules for awarding clergy in subsequent periods.