what makes a "bishop" better than a "priest"?

[christianmomof3]

I read an article today about some Catholic bishops being ordained and the article said

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Catholics believe bishops are inspired descendants of Peter, one of Jesus' original 12 apostles.[/FONT]​

[/FONT]​

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]

which made me wonder about the whole heirarchical system of leadership in the RCC and some other groups. ​

[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Were these guys not inspired descendants of Peter when they were just priests? [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Is it the ordination process that makes them that?[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]And if so, are just plain old priests not inspired decendants of Peter?[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]And then what do they get to be next as they move up the ladder of holiness?[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]And what are all the ranks and why are they necessary?[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Who really decides all of that? The article said that "Rome" decided these guys got to move up to a higher position.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Who is "Rome"? [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Is it just the Pope?[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Or all the officials at the Vatican?[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Or is there a bishop electing committee?[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Do they have to be old to move up?[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Do they have to take classes and pass tests or perhaps perform miracles or something?[/FONT]​

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Do they get paid more when they are promoted?[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Do they have different costumes or uniforms or whatever you call them for the different ranks?[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Do the other groups who have heirarchical leadership do things the same way or differently? [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Which groups do the whole heirarchical leadership thing anyway besides RCC and Orthodox?[/FONT]​

 

[Sphinx777]

In the Roman Catholic Church, the term hierarchy has a variety of related usages. Literally, "holy government", the term is employed in different instances. There is a Hierarchy of Truths, which refers to the levels of solemnity of the official teaching of the faith. There is a hierarchical nature of the church, which is a structural feature considered to be of divine institution.

In its earliest and most broad usage, this ecclesial hierarchy refers to the ordering of the entire People of God into three 'states': the laity, the religious, and the clergy. Most commonly, it refers to the ordering of ministry in the church into the threefold order of Episcopate, Presbyterate, and Diaconate, which is considered to be divinely instituted and therefore essential to the Church itself. In some cases, the term hierarchy is used to refer only to the Magisterium, the official teaching body of the church, the bishops, in which case deacons and presbyters (priests) are excluded.

There is, in addition, an order of precedence of the various offices and ministries,which indicates the precedence or 'rank' of various ministers and offices in the Church for use during liturgies or other ceremonies where such protocol is helpful.


Catholic Church Hierarchy

 

[JamesAH]

My priest can beat up your bishop

 

[Dark_Lite]

Before this thread spirals into an lolfest of misinformation, here is the basic development of the episcopacy: The early church started with elders (as seen in the Bible). As the Church grew, the elders could not be in every place at once. People were appointed to act with their authority. These people are priests.

Anyway, on with the questions:

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Were these guys not inspired descendants of Peter when they were just priests?
[/FONT]​

Theoretically, bishops can trace their lineage back to the apostles. Not all of them come from Peter's original ordinations. And bishops are certainly are no more inspired than any other Christian. They just have a position of authority.

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Is it the ordination process that makes them that?[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]And if so, are just plain old priests not inspired decendants of Peter?[/FONT]

"Inspired descendant of Peter" is a very strange and probably incorrect term to use. Hopefully the first paragraph explains the nature of the development of the priesthood better.

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]And then what do they get to be next as they move up the ladder of holiness?[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]And what are all the ranks and why are they necessary?[/FONT]

"Ladder of holiness" is looking at it the wrong way. I think this question also stems from your incomplete view of the priesthood. The ranks you see are what a priest becomes. Priest -> bishop is the only ranking system. Other titles like Cardinal or Monsignor are really just administrative divisions.

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Who really decides all of that? The article said that "Rome" decided these guys got to move up to a higher position.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Who is "Rome"? [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Is it just the Pope?[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Or all the officials at the Vatican?[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Or is there a bishop electing committee?[/FONT]

"Rome" means the Vatican and the Church government. The Pope is at its head and he has the final authority, but no doubt much of these kinds of tasks are delegated to other people or groups.

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Do they have to be old to move up?[/FONT]

No.

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Do they have to take classes and pass tests or perhaps perform miracles or something?
[/FONT]

There might be theological training. It would seem odd though since priests already need to have a degree in theology in the first place. The part about miracles I will just assume is facetious.

​

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Do they get paid more when they are promoted?[/FONT]

Maybe. Does it matter?

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Do they have different costumes or uniforms or whatever you call them for the different ranks?[/FONT]
​

Garments is probably a more appropriate term, and yes.

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Do the other groups who have heirarchical leadership do things the same way or differently? [/FONT]

The Orthodox are less centralized, and it is generally a diocesan thing for when a new bishop is chosen. I'm sure the Orthodox can explain how they do it.

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Which groups do the whole heirarchical leadership thing anyway besides RCC and Orthodox?[/FONT]

The Anglican Church has an episcopacy as well. So do the Oriental Orthodox. Basically, any church or denomination that broke off from the apostolic churches and retained apostolicity has an episcopacy, which is the "hierarchical leadership thing" you are thinking about.

Every organization, including religion, has some kind of hierarchical organization in its leadership. So the broad answer to your question is "every group." Even the groups that try to stay as far away as possible from anything resembling a priest -> bishop hierarchy have a hierarchy within their denomination or church.

 

[BobW188]

A bishop is not necessarily "better" than a priest anymore than a colonel is "better" than a private. In the history of hierarchal churches there have been some awful bishops and many excellent priests and pastors.

 

[ebia]

Dark_Lite has answered well generally. I just thought I'd not a few points where Anglican practice differs or I thought there was something to add..

And what are all the ranks and why are they necessary?

Bishop just means "Overseer". Priest derives from Presbyter, meaning "Elder". Initially they probably were one and the same thing but as the church grew it made sense for one Elder in each centre to be distinguished as the leader.

Who really decides all of that? The article said that "Rome" decided these guys got to move up to a higher position.
Who is "Rome"?
Is it just the Pope?
Or all the officials at the Vatican?
Or is there a bishop electing committee?​

In most of the Anglican Communion bishops are elected by their diocese.
(And then consecrated by existing bishops).
In England (for historical reasons) they are appointed by the crown on the recommendation of the church's selection committee.​

Do they have different costumes or uniforms or whatever you call them for the different ranks?

Garments are roll-specific rather than rank-specific. Bishops tend to wear purple to denote their position, and have a Crozier (shepherd's crook) to mark them out as the chief pastor of their diocese.

It's perhaps worth noting that the power that goes with that heirarchy also varies. In the RCCalmost all authority is top-down, but in most western parts of the Anglican Communion major decision making is by Synod consisting of the bishop(s), and representatives of the priest (and deacons) and representatives of the laity.​

Traditionally in the Eastern (Eastern Catholic and Orthodox) churches bishops are chosen from the monastic orders, but not in the west (Roman Catholic and Anglican)​

 

[LittleLambofJesus]

what makes a "bishop" better than a "priest"?

Isn't the english word the "Episcopalian" denomination used derived from the transliterated word #1985? They sure look similar.

KJV) Philippians 1:1 Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops/episkopoiV <1985>and deacons

1 Peter 2:12 The behaviour of ye in the nations having ideal, that in which they are according speaking of ye as evildoers out of the ideal works of being spectators, they should be glorifying the God in day of visitation/inspection/episkophV <1984>.

Luke 19:44 "And shall be leveling thee and thy offspring in thee, and not shall be leaving stone upon stone in thee, instead which not thou knew the time of thy visitation/inspection/episkophV <1984>".

1985. episkopos ep-is'-kop-os from 1909 and 4649 (in the sense of 1983); a superintendent, i.e. Christian officer in genitive case charge of a (or the) church (literally or figuratively):--bishop, overseer.
1984. episkope ep-is-kop-ay' from 1980; inspection (for relief); by implication, superintendence; specially, the Christian "episcopate":--the office of a "bishop", bishoprick, visitation.

1909. epi ep-ee' a primary preposition; properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.),
4649. skopos skop-os' from skeptomai (to peer about ("skeptic"); perhaps akin to 4626 through the idea of concealment; compare 4629); a watch (sentry or scout), i.e. (by implication) a goal:--mark.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Episcopal_Church_(United_States)

The Episcopal Church is the Province of the Anglican Communion in the United States, Honduras, Taiwan, Colombia, Ecuador, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, the British Virgin Islands and parts of Europe.

 

[christianmomof3]

Before this thread spirals into an lolfest of misinformation, here is the basic development of the episcopacy: The early church started with elders (as seen in the Bible). As the Church grew, the elders could not be in every place at once. People were appointed to act with their authority. These people are priests.

Thank you for your reply. I thought that as the church grew they appointed elders in each locality. And that does not explain why a structured heirarchy would be needed. If a church has elders then why would they need Priests, Bishops, Archbishops, a Pope and whatever other ranks I left out?

Theoretically, bishops can trace their lineage back to the apostles. Not all of them come from Peter's original ordinations. And bishops are certainly are no more inspired than any other Christian. They just have a position of authority.​

How do bishops trace their "lineage" back to the apostles while priests and the rest of the Christian's don't? And if they have this "lineage" while others don't, wouldn't it make them better or more inspired?​

"Inspired descendant of Peter" is a very strange and probably incorrect term to use. Hopefully the first paragraph explains the nature of the development of the priesthood better.​

No, I still do not understand the purpose of a heirarchical church leadership system nor am I sure what all the ranks are. ​

"Ladder of holiness" is looking at it the wrong way. I think this question also stems from your incomplete view of the priesthood. The ranks you see are what a priest becomes. Priest -> bishop is the only ranking system. Other titles like Cardinal or Monsignor are really just administrative divisions.​

Isn't there Archbishop? Isn't that higher than Bishop? And I know that Pope is the highest rank. ​

There might be theological training. It would seem odd though since priests already need to have a degree in theology in the first place. The part about miracles I will just assume is facetious.​

I was not being facetious. It is my understanding that miracles must be proven to be elected or considered a "Saint". What are the ranks among the heirarchical leadership system? Is it just Priest, Bishop, Archbishop, Pope or are there others in there? And what are the requirements for each rank? How does one move up? And what is the difference in the ranks other than higher pay and fancier garments? Is it all administrative or is there some spiritual component to it?

 

[Dark_Lite]

Thank you for your reply. I thought that as the church grew they appointed elders in each locality. And that does not explain why a structured heirarchy would be needed. If a church has elders then why would they need Priests, Bishops, Archbishops, a Pope and whatever other ranks I left out?

The bishops are the appointed elders of each locality (diocese). However, priests are appointed to individual parishes to act with the bishop's authority. It is how the early church developed. You have to remember that the Protestant idea of Sola Scriptura is a relatively recent innovation in Christian history. Before that, the Church was governed both by Tradition and Scripture. In fact, Scripture is from Tradition. You must approach the workings of the apostolic churches with the mindset of the apostolic churches. If you apply the foreign Sola Scriptura mindset, things will not make sense. If you view the Church as an organic entity that has both a human and divine element and is guided by Sacred Tradition, all of this begins to make more sense in its own context.

How do bishops trace their "lineage" back to the apostles while priests and the rest of the Christian's don't? And if they have this "lineage" while others don't, wouldn't it make them better or more inspired?

It is a lineage of ordinations.

No, I still do not understand the purpose of a heirarchical church leadership system nor am I sure what all the ranks are.

Isn't there Archbishop? Isn't that higher than Bishop? And I know that Pope is the highest rank.
​

As I said, the only ranks are priest and bishop. Everything else is just an administrative division. An archbishop is still a bishop. He is just appointed to a post that oversees an archdiocese. A cardinal is still a bishop (or rarely, a priest). The Pope is the Bishop of Rome. Catholicism believes, of course, that his role is slightly different than other bishops--but he is stll a bishop.

​

I was not being facetious. It is my understanding that miracles must be proven to be elected or considered a "Saint". What are the ranks among the heirarchical leadership system? Is it just Priest, Bishop, Archbishop, Pope or are there others in there? And what are the requirements for each rank? How does one move up? And what is the difference in the ranks other than higher pay and fancier garments? Is it all administrative or is there some spiritual component to it?

There is no miracle test for being appointed as a bishop. People "move up" like they would anywhere else. For bishops, a new bishop for a diocese is appointed after the old bishop retires or dies. The different roles such as archbishop, cardinal, etc are mostly a human administrative construct, but as the Church is a spiritual entity, each role has a spiritual significance as well.

 

[OrthodoxyUSA]

I read an article today about some Catholic bishops being ordained and the article said

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]which made me wonder about the whole heirarchical system of leadership in the RCC and some other groups. ​

[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Were these guys not inspired descendants of Peter when they were just priests? [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Is it the ordination process that makes them that?[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]And if so, are just plain old priests not inspired decendants of Peter?[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]And then what do they get to be next as they move up the ladder of holiness?[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]And what are all the ranks and why are they necessary?[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Who really decides all of that? The article said that "Rome" decided these guys got to move up to a higher position.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Who is "Rome"? [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Is it just the Pope?[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Or all the officials at the Vatican?[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Or is there a bishop electing committee?[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Do they have to be old to move up?[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Do they have to take classes and pass tests or perhaps perform miracles or something?[/FONT]​

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Do they get paid more when they are promoted?[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Do they have different costumes or uniforms or whatever you call them for the different ranks?[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Do the other groups who have heirarchical leadership do things the same way or differently? [/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Which groups do the whole heirarchical leadership thing anyway besides RCC and Orthodox?[/FONT]​

In the Orthodox Church its a matter of election by the people.

Canonically, a Biship is supposed to be able to sing the entire Psaltar from memory as one of the requirements for the office.

Forgive me...

 

[E.C.]

Since the thread is specifically about the Roman Church's system of bishops and priests, I'd like to post a quick note about bishops and priests since I didn't see a question that this note would answer.

In the early days of the Church there was one bishop (or 'episcopos') per "polis" or city. Each polis was surrounded by a few villages. The bishop was originally the only one who could consecrate the bread and wine to be the Body and Blood of Christ and each bishop within the polis had a council of priests (or 'presbyteros'). The original job of the Christian priest was to take the Body and Blood to the people in the outlaying villages. So, say there was a bishop in Seattle, than the priests would take the Eucharist to those in areas outside of Seattle such as Shoreline, Bellevue, Redmond, etc.

What happened was that because of the persecution of the Church by the Roman Empire the priests were sometimes killed on their way to the villages or the bishops themselves were killed so then the people in the polis and the villages could not receive Communion until a new bishop came. The Church eventually decided that the priests can also consecrate the bread and wine.

The priests are the representatives of the bishops, at least in the Orthodox Church. My church is in Tacoma, Washington but even though my bishop is in San Francisco he is still considered the rector of the parish (even though he may not there most of the year ). Whenever we have our bishop in town and he serves the Liturgy than the priests, for all intents and purposes, are essentially useless during the Liturgy.


I'm posting this bit of history because I think that knowing it should help to understand the roles of the bishops and priests a little better.

 

[LittleLambofJesus]

*snip*

What happened was that because of the persecution of the Church by the Roman Empire the priests were sometimes killed on their way to the villages or the bishops themselves were killed so then the people in the polis and the villages could not receive Communion until a new bishop came. The Church eventually decided that the priests can also consecrate the bread and wine...........

And I take it they are still being killed and persecuted to this day?
Sounds like what Jesus prophecied only this was concerning the murderous corrupt Judean rulers

Matt 23:34 "Because of this behold! I am commissioning toward ye Prophets and Wise-ones and Scribes.
Out of them ye shall be killing/apokteneite <615> (5692) and ye shall be crucifying.
And out of them ye shall be scourging in the Synagogues of ye and ye shall be persecuting/persuing from city into city"
[Matt 24:9]

 

[icxn]

I read an article today about some Catholic bishops being ordained and the article said [FONT=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]

which made me wonder about the whole heirarchical system of leadership in the RCC and some other groups. ​

[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Were these guys not inspired descendants of Peter when they were just priests? [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Is it the ordination process that makes them that?[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]And if so, are just plain old priests not inspired decendants of Peter?[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]And then what do they get to be next as they move up the ladder of holiness?[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]And what are all the ranks and why are they necessary?[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Who really decides all of that? The article said that "Rome" decided these guys got to move up to a higher position.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Who is "Rome"? [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Is it just the Pope?[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Or all the officials at the Vatican?[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Or is there a bishop electing committee?[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Do they have to be old to move up?[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Do they have to take classes and pass tests or perhaps perform miracles or something?[/FONT]​

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Do they get paid more when they are promoted?[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Do they have different costumes or uniforms or whatever you call them for the different ranks?[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Do the other groups who have heirarchical leadership do things the same way or differently? [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Which groups do the whole heirarchical leadership thing anyway besides RCC and Orthodox?[/FONT]​

Going off on a tangent, I would suggest reading the life of a Saint Nectarios. He was a model of a Bishop. I promise, it won't be a waste of your time.

 

[bbbbbbb]

Before this thread spirals into an lolfest of misinformation, here is the basic development of the episcopacy: The early church started with elders (as seen in the Bible). As the Church grew, the elders could not be in every place at once. People were appointed to act with their authority. These people are priests.

Then why did Paul appoint elders in every city where he established a church and, moreover instructed Timothy and Titus to do the same? Why is it that the only mention of priests in reference to the church is in I Peter where Peter calls all Christians a royal and a holy priesthood and does not differentiate between the laity and a priesthood?

To be certain, later developments in church history led to the current hierarchical system, but one can never assert that it was the apostolic intention when we have clear evidence to the contrary in the New Testament.

 

[bbbbbbb]

In the Orthodox Church its a matter of election by the people.

Canonically, a Biship is supposed to be able to sing the entire Psaltar from memory as one of the requirements for the office.

Forgive me...

Wow, singing the entire Psalter from memory is amazing, especially Psalm 119. If it is sung in Hebrew it would be easier to memorize because of its consistent organization along the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet, but in any other language it is a daunting task. I admire anyone who can sing that Psalm from memory (singing it does help with memorizing it) much less the entire Psalter.

 

[bbbbbbb]

Just a quick answer to the OP. I have observed the RC bishops are better than priests because they get bigger houses to live in and much better job perks.

 

[LittleLambofJesus]

Wow, singing the entire Psalter from memory is amazing, especially Psalm 119. If it is sung in Hebrew it would be easier to memorize because of its consistent organization along the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet, but in any other language it is a daunting task. I admire anyone who can sing that Psalm from memory (singing it does help with memorizing it) much less the entire Psalter.

You can get an idea of the Hebrew rendering with this very good hebrew/greek Interlinear.
I sometimes read the Bible thru it [I have been using it for over 6 yrs now]

Scripture4All - Greek/Hebrew interlinear Bible software

 

[E.C.]

Just a quick answer to the OP. I have observed the RC bishops are better than priests because they get bigger houses to live in and much better job perks.

Yeah, but it comes at a price: more accountability (but let's not derail this thread on that one today)

Then why did Paul appoint elders in every city where he established a church and, moreover instructed Timothy and Titus to do the same? Why is it that the only mention of priests in reference to the church is in I Peter where Peter calls all Christians a royal and a holy priesthood and does not differentiate between the laity and a priesthood?

To be certain, later developments in church history led to the current hierarchical system, but one can never assert that it was the apostolic intention when we have clear evidence to the contrary in the New Testament.

Timothy and Titus were both bishops. Timothy in Ephesus and Titus in Crete. They would need elders, or presbyteroi, since they were bishops.

 

[OrthodoxyUSA]

Many of the seventy deciples became Bishops.

For example...

Bishop Nikolai Velimirovch
The Prologue from Ohrid

1. THE HOLY APOSTLES JASON, SOSIPATER AND THE VIRGIN CERCYRA

The first two were of the Seventy Apostles and the latter was the daughter of a king from the island of Corfu. Jason and Sosipater are mentioned by St. Paul and he calls them his relatives. "Jason and Sosipater, my relatives" (Romans 16:21). Jason was born in Tarsus as was the Apostle Paul and Sosipater was born in Achaea. The first was appointed bishop of Tarsus by the apostle and the other was appointed bishop of Iconium. Traveling about and preaching the Gospel these two apostles arrived on the island of Corfu, where they succeeded to build a church to the honor of St. Stephen the First-martyr and to win over some heathens to the Church. The king of the island threw them both into prison where seven thieves were also imprisoned. Their names were: Sagornius, Jakishol, Faustian, Januarius, Marsalus, Euphrasius and Mamminus. The apostles converted these seven to the Faith of Christ and turned these wolves into lambs. Upon hearing this, the king ordered that these seven be put to death in boiling pitch. Thus, they received the wreath of the martyrs. While the king was torturing the apostles, his daughter, the virgin Cercyra, watched from the window at the suffering of these men of God and learning for what reason they were being tortured, she declared herself a Christian and distributed all of her jewels to the poor. The king became enraged at his daughter and closed her in a special prison. Since he did not succeed to dissuade her from Christ by this imprisonment, he ordered that the prison be burned. The prison burned, but the virgin remained alive. Upon seeing this miracle many people were baptized. The infuriated king then ordered his daughter to be tied to a tree and Cercyra was slain by arrows. Those who believed in Christ fled from the terrible king to the nearest island and hid themselves. The king pursued them by boat in order to apprehend them, but the boat sank into the sea and thus the unrighteous one perished as did the one-time pharaoh. The new king embraced the Faith of Christ, was baptized and received the name Sebastian. Jason and Sosipater freely preached the Gospel and strengthened the Church of God in Corfu. They lived to a ripe old age and there ended their earthly life and took up habitation in the mansions of the Lord.

Forgive me...

 

[LittleLambofJesus]

Many of the seventy deciples became Bishops.

For example...

*snip*

Those who believed in Christ fled from the terrible king to the nearest island and hid themselves.

Forgive me...

Ya think they bumped into my bro John there?

Reve 1:9 I John, the brother of ye and joint-partaker in the affliction and kingdom and endurance in Jesus Christ, came to be in the island, the being called Patmos/patmw <3963>, thru the Word of the God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.

http://www.christianforums.com/t7367198/
John and the island of Patmos