Why is the first name of a bishop or religious leader written in all capital letters in Orthodox churches?

Answer 1

Before the invention of the printing press, when all manuscripts were written by hand, the common practice was to write everything in "unicap". Meaning there were no captial or small letters. The shape of the "unicap" letter would eventual become what we think of as the capital letters today.

The Orthodox church continues the tradition of writing those names, as original written, in unicap. The letter just look like our capital letters.

Answer 2

It's not always.

But, in the cases where it is....it's because Eastern Orthodox archbishops and bishops frequently follow a monastic tradition in which they are known only by a first name. That first name is the name of some Biblical or other saint.

It is done to show reverence to that Holy Saint who came before, not to the man.

Answer 3

Catholic ability favourite. i've got faith that we theory-approximately oursleves in that way from or very on the factor of 33ad while we began. while Jesus gave St. Peter the keys to his kingdom in the international, the implication is universality and for this reason catholic. the "offical" call is unimportant. I dont think of it ever has been significant. that's importmnat to protestants becasue there are a lot of off shoots and that they might get at a loss for words without way yo tdistinguish themsleves. We do nothave that challenge. We have been univesal and based by using jesus christ we refered to our stream because of the fact the way and so on., however the call as such is not any improtant that's a relfection of ways we expect of of oursleves and then for this reason became a lable. So, we've been continuously the church favourite, how else might you describe us, the define then became the call.

Answer 4

As far as I know all churches write the names of their leaders in Capitals, now that I think so it is a matter of respect for any person you're refering to, so most of people capitalize the name of any person they write to.

Answer 5

If you're interested, this is a popular forum for Orthodox Christans, you may find more answers here...

http://christianforums.com/f145-the-ancient-way-eastern-orthodox.html

Answer 6

Because they are one step up from us peasants. Just a little more chosen than the next guy. Why, if they weren't, how do you explain their wealth and long flowing robes? We put capital letters on words we think are >important<. I wish I was special.

Answer 7

Joe

Answer 8

well, they are "old" and probably don't want to wear glasses...so, they do it in "caps" so all the old-timers can all see it better..."Peace!" (i could be wrong...) .....