The role of the bishop in the local Church from an Orthodox perspective

This article by Michel Stavrou examines the role of the bishop in the local Church according to the Orthodox tradition. Drawing on theological and ecclesiological study, it analyzes the various dimensions of the episcopal function based on its historical and doctrinal foundations. The central idea is that the role of the bishop is above all sacramental, ordered toward the local eucharistic gathering, and cannot be reduced to a simple function of community leadership. Attested as early as the second century, this office also encompasses pastoral, administrative, and doctrinal dimensions. The contribution of the article lies in highlighting the necessary articulation between the episcopal figure and an organic vision of the ecclesial body: the bishop is a member of the body of the Church, and not an authority external to it, which conditions the Orthodox understanding of ecclesial unity.