ministers of the Church, but also the faithful; and, with sleep less vigilance and unwearied care, to watch over and promote their salvation. Hence the Sacred Scriptures frequently call them " the pastors of the sheep;" and their office, and the duties which it imposes, are developed by Paul in his sermon to the Thessalonians, recorded in the Acts of the Apostles. [1] Peter also has left for the guidance of Bishops a divine rule; and if their lives harmonize with its spirit, they will no doubt be esteemed, and will really be, good pastors. [2] But Bishops are also called " Pontiffs," a name borrowed from the ancient Romans, and used to designate their Chief-priests. The third degree is that of Archbishop: he presides over several Bishops, and is also called " Metropolitan," because he is placed over the Metropolis of the Province. Archbishops, therefore, (although their ordination is the same,) enjoy more ample power,
IV. and a more exalted station than bishops. Patriarchs hold the fourth place, and are, as the name implies, the first and supreme Fathers in the Episcopal order. Formerly, besides the Sovereign Pontiff, there were but four Patriarchs in the Church: their dignity was not the same; the Patriarch of Constantinople, although last in the order of time, was first in rank an honour conceded to him as Bishop of Constantinople, the capital of the imperial world. Next to the Patriarchate of Constantinople, is that of Alexandria, a see founded by the Evangelist St. Mark by command of the prince of the Apostles. The third is the Patriarchate of Antioch, founded by St. Peter, and the first seat of the Apostolic See; the fourth and last, the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, founded by St. James, the brother of our Lord.
Superior to all these is the Sovereign Pontiff, whom Cyril, Archbishop of Alexandria, denominated in the Council of Ephesus, "the Father and Patriarch of the whole world." Sitting in that chair in which Peter the prince of the Apostles sat to the close of life, the Catholic Church recognises in his person the most exalted degree of dignity, and the full amplitude of jurisdiction; a dignity and a jurisdiction not based on synodal, or other human constitutions, but emanating from no less an authority than God himself. As the successor of St. Peter, and the true and legitimate vicar of Jesus Christ, he, therefore, presides over the Universal Church, the Father and Governor of all the faithful, of Bishops, also, and of all other prelates, be their station, rank, or power what they may. [3]
From what has been said, the pastor will take occasion to inform the faithful what are the principal offices and functions of Ecclesiastical Orders, and their degrees, and, also, who is the minister of this Sacrament.
