The Role of the local councils in the life of the Orthodox Church in Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth until the end of the XVIth century

ENThe Orthodox Church on the Ruthenian territory and the territory' of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania from the very beginning of its existence formed structures and appointed the organs indispensable for regular functioning of the Church institutions, referring to the praxis of the Byzantine Church and to the canonical law. The role of the councils grew with the development of the Church structures and organizations. The local councils of the Orthodox Church, based on the ancient principle of conciliarity' of the Eastern Church, constituted collective organs adjudicating not only in questions of theological and disciplinary nature, but equally administrative and judiciary ones. The councils of the Orthodox Church gathered mainly to deal with important questions, demanding collective consideration. Based on the territorial reach they were divided into two categories: diocesan and metropolitan ones. We distinguish the following kinds of councils based on the questions discussed during the debates: 1) councils dealing with internal Church organization, 2) disciplinary and theological (judicial) councils, 3) councils concerning canonical law, 4) canonization councils. Keywords: Conciliarity, Local council, Orthodox Church, Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. [From the publication]