Antistes
Encyclopedia
Antistes was from the 16th to the 19th century the title of the head of the church in the Reformed Churches
in Switzerland
. It was the highest office in churches with synod
al church governance.
The word was used first in 1525 as an unofficial title of honor for Huldrych Zwingli
in Zurich
, then 1530 for Johannes Oecolampadius
in Basle and 1532 for Heinrich Bullinger
in Zurich.
The antistes was elected by the great council (the parliament) of the city and held besides this office also a pastorship of one of the main churches.
The antistes had to be an ordained minister. He was the official representative of the church. He was presiding the synod
, and the theological examinations of candidates for the office of pastor. His direct rights were very limited, but a man with high leadership capabilities like Zwingli or Bullinger could exert a great influence on the church in this office.
In the late 19th century the title was replaced by other office designations, e.g. church president or president of the church council.
Source: *Article Antistes in the Historical Lexicon of Switzerland (German)
Reformed churches
The Reformed churches are a group of Protestant denominations characterized by Calvinist doctrines. They are descended from the Swiss Reformation inaugurated by Huldrych Zwingli but developed more coherently by Martin Bucer, Heinrich Bullinger and especially John Calvin...
in Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
. It was the highest office in churches with synod
Synod
A synod historically is a council of a church, usually convened to decide an issue of doctrine, administration or application. In modern usage, the word often refers to the governing body of a particular church, whether its members are meeting or not...
al church governance.
The word was used first in 1525 as an unofficial title of honor for Huldrych Zwingli
Huldrych Zwingli
Ulrich Zwingli was a leader of the Reformation in Switzerland. Born during a time of emerging Swiss patriotism and increasing criticism of the Swiss mercenary system, he attended the University of Vienna and the University of Basel, a scholarly centre of humanism...
in Zurich
Zürich
Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland and the capital of the canton of Zurich. It is located in central Switzerland at the northwestern tip of Lake Zurich...
, then 1530 for Johannes Oecolampadius
Johannes Oecolampadius
Johannes Œcolampadius was a German religious reformer. His real name was Hussgen or Heussgen .-Life:He was born in Weinsberg, then part of the Electoral Palatinate...
in Basle and 1532 for Heinrich Bullinger
Heinrich Bullinger
Heinrich Bullinger was a Swiss reformer, the successor of Huldrych Zwingli as head of the Zurich church and pastor at Grossmünster...
in Zurich.
The antistes was elected by the great council (the parliament) of the city and held besides this office also a pastorship of one of the main churches.
The antistes had to be an ordained minister. He was the official representative of the church. He was presiding the synod
Synod
A synod historically is a council of a church, usually convened to decide an issue of doctrine, administration or application. In modern usage, the word often refers to the governing body of a particular church, whether its members are meeting or not...
, and the theological examinations of candidates for the office of pastor. His direct rights were very limited, but a man with high leadership capabilities like Zwingli or Bullinger could exert a great influence on the church in this office.
In the late 19th century the title was replaced by other office designations, e.g. church president or president of the church council.
Source: *Article Antistes in the Historical Lexicon of Switzerland (German)