{
  "meta": {
    "schema_version": "1.2",
    "endpoint": "/api/sources/dionysius-areopagite/ecclesiastical-hierarchy/index.json"
  },
  "work": {
    "slug": "ecclesiastical-hierarchy",
    "name": "Ecclesiastical Hierarchy",
    "stream": "greco-christian",
    "epoch_reflected": "greco-latin",
    "epoch_written": "greco-latin",
    "form": "liturgical-theological treatise",
    "tradition": "Christian mysticism",
    "author": "Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite",
    "year_approx": 500,
    "note": "Seven *caputs* on the earthly hierarchy that mirrors the heavenly one — the threefold structure of bishop, priest, deacon, and the threefold mysteries (baptism, eucharist, anointing) that conduct the soul through purification, illumination, and union. Companion to *On the Heavenly Hierarchy*. Greek title Περὶ τῆς ἐκκλησιαστικῆς ἱεραρχίας.",
    "books_slug": "parker--dionysius-vol-2",
    "books_slugs": null,
    "has_project_translation": false,
    "steiner_loci": []
  },
  "parents": [
    {
      "slug": "dionysius-areopagite",
      "name": "Dionysius the Areopagite",
      "url": "/sources/dionysius-areopagite/"
    }
  ],
  "translation": {
    "title": "The Works of Dionysius the Areopagite, Vol. II",
    "author": "Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite (late 5th–early 6th c.)",
    "source": "sacred-texts.com / chr/dio (mirror of James Parker & Co., London, 1899)"
  },
  "chapters": [
    {
      "num": 1,
      "slug": "20-eh-caput-i",
      "title": "Ecclesiastical Hierarchy — Caput I",
      "words": 1648,
      "url": "/sources/dionysius-areopagite/ecclesiastical-hierarchy/20-eh-caput-i/",
      "api": "/api/sources/dionysius-areopagite/ecclesiastical-hierarchy/20-eh-caput-i.json",
      "project_translation": false,
      "subtitle": "I. What is the tradition of the Ecclesiastical Hierarchy",
      "blurb": "Opens with the relation of the earthly hierarchy to the celestial: the earthly *imitates* the heavenly. The transmitted tradition; the role of Hierotheus, the master Dionysius credits as his teacher; the threefold work of every hierarchy (purification, illumination, perfection)."
    },
    {
      "num": 2,
      "slug": "21-eh-caput-ii",
      "title": "Ecclesiastical Hierarchy — Caput II",
      "words": 3114,
      "url": "/sources/dionysius-areopagite/ecclesiastical-hierarchy/21-eh-caput-ii/",
      "api": "/api/sources/dionysius-areopagite/ecclesiastical-hierarchy/21-eh-caput-ii.json",
      "project_translation": false,
      "subtitle": "II. Mystery (rite) of Illumination — baptism",
      "blurb": "The first sacramental rite expounded: *Photismós* — Illumination, i.e., Baptism. The catechumenate, the renunciations, the threefold immersion, the chrism. Each gesture of the rite read as bearing its hidden theological signification."
    },
    {
      "num": 3,
      "slug": "22-eh-caput-iii",
      "title": "Ecclesiastical Hierarchy — Caput III",
      "words": 5233,
      "url": "/sources/dionysius-areopagite/ecclesiastical-hierarchy/22-eh-caput-iii/",
      "api": "/api/sources/dionysius-areopagite/ecclesiastical-hierarchy/22-eh-caput-iii.json",
      "project_translation": false,
      "subtitle": "III. Mystery (rite) of the Synaxis — Eucharist",
      "blurb": "The second rite: *Synaxis* — the assembly that is the Eucharist. Dionysius's mystical exposition of the eucharistic liturgy known to him — the procession, the incensation, the kiss of peace, the readings, the fraction, the communion. The central mystery of the ecclesiastical hierarchy."
    },
    {
      "num": 4,
      "slug": "23-eh-caput-iv",
      "title": "Ecclesiastical Hierarchy — Caput IV",
      "words": 2913,
      "url": "/sources/dionysius-areopagite/ecclesiastical-hierarchy/23-eh-caput-iv/",
      "api": "/api/sources/dionysius-areopagite/ecclesiastical-hierarchy/23-eh-caput-iv.json",
      "project_translation": false,
      "subtitle": "IV. Mystery (rite) of the Holy Myron (consecration of chrism)",
      "blurb": "The third rite: the consecration of the Holy Myron — the sacred chrism. The aromatic oils blended, consecrated, applied; the mystical signification of the perfume that fills the church; the myron as bearer of the divine fragrance through all the sacramental life."
    },
    {
      "num": 5,
      "slug": "24-eh-caput-v",
      "title": "Ecclesiastical Hierarchy — Caput V",
      "words": 3378,
      "url": "/sources/dionysius-areopagite/ecclesiastical-hierarchy/24-eh-caput-v/",
      "api": "/api/sources/dionysius-areopagite/ecclesiastical-hierarchy/24-eh-caput-v.json",
      "project_translation": false,
      "subtitle": "V. Sacred orders: hierarchs, priests, deacons",
      "blurb": "The threefold rank of the *clerical* hierarchy: Hierarchs (bishops), Priests, Deacons. Each rank corresponds in office (perfection, illumination, purification) to one of the triads of the celestial hierarchy. The chapter that lays down the doctrinal foundation of the threefold ordained ministry."
    },
    {
      "num": 6,
      "slug": "25-eh-caput-vi",
      "title": "Ecclesiastical Hierarchy — Caput VI",
      "words": 1690,
      "url": "/sources/dionysius-areopagite/ecclesiastical-hierarchy/25-eh-caput-vi/",
      "api": "/api/sources/dionysius-areopagite/ecclesiastical-hierarchy/25-eh-caput-vi.json",
      "project_translation": false,
      "subtitle": "VI. The orders of those being perfected: monks, lay-faithful, catechumens",
      "blurb": "The threefold rank of those being *perfected*: monks (the perfected lay-state), the lay-faithful (in the middle), the orders being purified (catechumens, energumens, penitents). Symmetrical to the threefold ordained hierarchy: nine ranks in total, three by three."
    },
    {
      "num": 7,
      "slug": "26-eh-caput-vii",
      "title": "Ecclesiastical Hierarchy — Caput VII",
      "words": 4126,
      "url": "/sources/dionysius-areopagite/ecclesiastical-hierarchy/26-eh-caput-vii/",
      "api": "/api/sources/dionysius-areopagite/ecclesiastical-hierarchy/26-eh-caput-vii.json",
      "project_translation": false,
      "subtitle": "VII. The rite at the falling-asleep — funeral liturgy",
      "blurb": "The funeral rite for one who has fallen asleep in the faith. Dionysius reads the prayers, the kissing of the deceased, the anointing, the burial — the closing rite of the ecclesiastical hierarchy as the sacramental accompaniment of the soul's passing to its eternal hierarchy above."
    }
  ]
}