The Title/Style of Apostolic Highness from the Prefecture of Faith and Doctrine
15 October 2024 Summary: The title/style Apostolic Highness
is deemed the most suitable for the Prince-Bishop of Rome-Ruthenia, as
it effectively merges his spiritual and temporal authority in a single
and unique designation. "Apostolic" signifies his role as the head of
the autocephalous United Roman-Ruthenian Church, rooted in unbroken
Orthodox and Old Catholic Apostolic Succession. "Highness" reflects his
temporal authority related to the Pontifical Imperial State, the
historic patrimony of the Church that, while neither possessing or
seeking control of political territory, remains an ecclesiastical
nation without borders. Thus the title encapsulates his dual role as
both a spiritual leader and an ecclesiastical sovereign, thereby
consolidating various aspects of his office into a coherent expression
that honors the Church's traditions and heritage.
The title Apostolic Highness
is the most proper and fitting for the Prince-Bishop of Rome-Ruthenia,
Supreme Pontiff of the United Roman-Ruthenian Church because it
succinctly and elegantly reflects the combination of the spiritual and
temporal aspects of the semi-hereditary, semi-elective office. This
title encapsulates the historical, apostolic, and imperial dimensions
of the Prince-Bishop's authority in a single, cohesive designation that
uniquely refers to the Chief of the Roman-Ruthenian Church and State. 1. Pontifical and Apostolic AuthorityThe term "Apostolic" emphasizes the Prince-Bishop's spiritual authority as the head of the Apostolic Sees of Sts. Stephen and Mark and therefore as head of the United Roman-Ruthenian Church, an autocephalous Orthodox and Old Catholic Church. This title aligns with the historic use of "Apostolic" in Christian tradition in reference to a Church or See that continues the mission and authority of the Apostles in unbroken succession (Ostrogorsky, 1969). 2. Royal and Imperial DignityThe term Highness reflects the titular
temporal authority tied to the office of the Prince-Bishop, though the
Pontifical Imperial state remains a nation without borders that neither
possesses nor seeks territorial borders. In the case of the Pontifical
Imperial State and United Roman-Ruthenian Church, the Prince-Bishop
holds both spiritual and temporal roles (Coulombe, 2020):
This use of Highness thus signifies the
Prince-Bishop's temporal role as Chief of both the United
Roman-Ruthenian Church and the Pontifical Imperial State of
Rome-Ruthenia. 3. Combination of Spiritual and Temporal TitlesThe title of Apostolic Highness is unique
and uniquely refers to the Prince-Bishop of Rome-Ruthenia. It merges
both the pontifical (Apostolic) and temporal (Highness) aspects into
one (Heritage, 2023). Over time, various titles have been applied to and recognized for the office of the Prince-Bishop, including:
However, Apostolic Highness
succinctly and uniquely combines these various aspects into a single
title that reflects the Prince-Bishop’s dual role as a leader with
historic temporal patrimony, the culture of which is kept alive in the
modern Roman-Ruthenian Church and State. Thus this title/style
simplifies and clarifies the multiple roles of his office into one
coherent and comprehensive designation (Deffenbaugh, 2024). 4. Synthesis of Titles
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