2024 Sun May 19

Since Bishop Harris will be here May 19, it is a good chance to look at how we got bishops in the first place. Without distinctive “gear” we wouldn’t know them from regular priests. 

Our church name, Episcopal is taken from the collective group of bishops in a church.

The concept of a bishop developed gradually in the early church as an overseer but by the 1st century became established as the head of the house churches in a city. The bishop became less associated with a particular church. A single bishop was expected to lead the church in each center of Christian mission, supported by a council of presbyters (a distinct and subordinate position) with a pool of deacons 

Faith Magazine provides a good run down of the bishop adornments: 

Crosier: The bishop carries a tall hooked staff called a crosier. In the Western church, it is shaped like a shepherd’s crook to symbolize the bishop’s role as the shepherd of his flock. Its roots go back to the walking staffs of travelers at the time of Christ, and crosiers dating from as early as the fourth century have been found in the catacombs. By the Council of Toledo in 633, the crosier was mentioned as a liturgical implement. 

Miter: The miter is the tall peaked hat that bishops wear. It has its origin in the cap with headbands worn by athletes of ancient Greece. It took its current form in the 12th century. The miter/s two shield-shaped halves are said to represent the Old and New Testaments. Two strips of fabric called lappets hang down the back. The lappets were originally designed to be tied around the chin to prevent the miter from falling off while the bishop rode on horseback. The miter is laid aside when the bishop prays, and underneath it he wears a zuchetto, a skullcap originally designed to keep hair oil off the miter. 

Pectoral Cross: The bishop wears a cross called a pectoral cross. Its name derives from the Latin word pectus or “breast.” It is worn differently, depending on the bishop’s garments. For example, if he is in a suit and collar, the pectoral cross is usually placed in the vest pocket, with the chain showing. That’s why you’ll often see the bishop with a gold chain across his chest. The cross can hang from either a chain or silk cord, and many of them held relics of the True Cross. The stone assigned to bishops and archbishops is the amethyst, and many pectoral crosses are adorned with one or more.

Episcopal Ring: Bishops wear a ring that has multiple layers of meaning. It has been a symbol of authority and jurisdiction since the third century. The ring also symbolizes the bishop’s marriage to the church, his spiritual parentage and the inviolable faithfulness with which he will teach and protect his flock. This onyx ring was used by Bishop Povish.

13 years ago in 2011, St. Peter’s celebrated its 175th anniversary. Today May 15, 2024 is the 188th anniversary of the consecration of the church in 1836. The photo shows various scenes of that day in 2011.

The sermon on the 175th anniversary was based on John 10 the good shepherd passage. Jesus says “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. “

From the sermon- “The gatekeeper opens the gate for the shepherd, and the sheep hear his voice. The point is –not who is in, and who is out, but whose voice the sheep listen to and follow. The voice of Jesus, the good shepherd. But there were warnings in John’s passage. “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

The sermon continued – “Those thieves and bandits call out to us with voices that divide us—into those who are in and those who are out based on how much money we have, or what color our skin is, or what our political viewpoints are, or even what religion we are—whether Christians, or Muslims, or Jews, or Buddhists or Hindus—remember, all of humanity is in this sheepfold “

“In 1814, Channing Moore became the Bishop of Virginia and he was, we are told, “an earnest and powerful preacher, able leader, loving and beloved, who was followed as a man sent from God. He awoke this diocese out of its lethargy and started it upon a career of growth and influence that has continued to the present day.

“Meanwhile, the people of Port Royal had resolved to build a church, and so St Peter’s was raised up on this city lot, and was dedicated 175 years ago to the day. Bishop Moore came here, on May 15, 1836, and consecrated this space, set it aside as a sheepfold in which the people of Port Royal could “come in and go out and find pasture,” following the voice and the teachings of Jesus Christ, our Good Shepherd. “

Secrets Over 185 years – Some personal thoughts.

1. Do the job that needs to be done in good times and bad. Carefully plan what you do. St. Peter’s came together over decades, not overnight.

2. Know your mission to do God’s will, united in love for God, one another and our neighbor. Never forget the mission! We have learned how to extend the pasture and our congregation is diverse.

3. Maintain the important links – close connection with parishioners and through them the community. We need the support of both.

4. Accept the generosity of parishioners. They live through what they give you and find meaning to their lives and enhance your life as well.

5. Tell your stories and retell. Relish in who you are and where we have been and never forget the blessings that have been received along the way.

6. Remember the past but don’t live in it. We can look back but can only move forward.