Saint Titus was one of the disciples of Saint Paul the Apostle or one of his companions in service, and he may have been from Antioch. Saint Paul the Apostle called him in his letter: “a true son in our common faith” (Titus 1:4 NKJV). He was a servant overseeing the churches of the island of Crete, the fourth-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.

The epistle itself is short (only 3 chapters), rich in meaning and principles, and provides a wide field for study—especially when it discusses the characteristics of a bishop after God’s own heart: “For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict” (Titus 1:7–9).

The bishop is the highest clerical rank in the Christian Church (bishop–presbyter–deacon). The word means: overseer, guardian, or watcher from above. The conditions for choosing a bishop from the rank of monasticism are numerous and also strict due to his grave responsibility, as the blood of his flock will be required at his hand (Ezekiel 3:20).

The titles of a bishop are also many, including father, teacher, shepherd, administrator of the clergy, etc. They all reflect different aspects of his spiritual fatherhood.

It is historically known that Saint Mark the Apostle, the founder of the Church of Alexandria in the first century A.D., ordained a bishop named Anianus, along with three presbyters and seven deacons. This marked the beginning of the Coptic Orthodox Church.

Thus, the triune structure of the Church of God became: Altar, Clergy, and People:

1. The Altar: is the source and the power of the Church’s life.

2. The Clergy: in all its ranks for the administration of the living Church of God.

3. The People: members of the Body of Christ united through the holy Mysteries.

This trinity is perfected and fulfilled in the Mystery of the Eucharist—the Mystery of Mysteries. Missing even one of these three, the Mystery of the Eucharist cannot be completed. This trinitarian relationship is described as a heavenly spiritual bond based on faith, love, humility, and obedience, with strong cohesion passed down through the generations, across the centuries, and to the end of the ages.

Saint Paul the Apostle lays out the qualifications of maturity and experience required for a bishop to be after God’s own heart in this extremely serious responsibility. He uses fourteen precise and expressive attributes that complete the picture of the true servant bishop—not merely in form, title, position, or skill. These qualifications serve as a mirror for the bishop to examine himself and his ministry from time to time, lest he loses one or more of them amid the many cares of life and be found wanting before God the Judge, losing his heavenly inheritance:

1. Blameless: This refers to manifest and scandalous sins, not any ordinary sin of word or action. Of course, it does not imply absolute perfection, as no one is without faults, but rather that he should not be known for wicked traits or a bad reputation—for he is, first and foremost, a role model to God’s people.

2. A steward of God: The steward does not own but manages all that his master entrusts to him. His most important quality is absolute faithfulness and good stewardship on behalf of God in his time, service, talents, money, relationships, sermons, etc. He is accountable to God for shepherding the flock and will give an account of his stewardship before Him. Therefore he must be free from any sin that is a stumbling block to the people, being fully aware of his stewardship: “Give an account of your stewardship” (Luke 16:2).

3. Not self-willed: This is extremely dangerous as it means self-love, egocentrism, excessive self-confidence, reliance on his personal will and methods, and seeing others’ submission to him as his honor. This is a form of despotism or obstinacy. The self-willed shepherd is very arrogant, unaware that his words or statements serve only to please himself. The intention here is that he must not be selfish or arrogant but rather humble and long-suffering with all, imitating Christ who called us to follow His example.

4. Not quick-tempered: That is, not easily angered, for it is unbefitting for someone to lead and govern the Church with ever-ready rage. There is righteous anger against sin (Ephesians 4:26) when witnessing wrongdoing, but in his ministry, he must firmly control any anger. As the fathers have said: “Even if the angry man raises the dead, he is still not acceptable before God.”

5. Not given to wine: In ancient times, wine was used as a remedy for some digestive issues before the advent of modern medicine. Here, it means not indulging in material pleasures. In our modern age, addiction is no longer limited to wine—it extends to many natural, synthetic, and digital forms, including media addiction and attachment to devices. Being enslaved to his phone has become a destructive addiction that harms the bishop’s peace,  purity of mind, and humility. In this case, the Devil has succeeded in placing the whole world inside the heart of the shepherd, forgetting that he was once a monk who left everything in the world.

6. Not violent: This includes not only physical violence but also harshness in speech, constant rebuke, shouting commands, and issuing strict decisions. Such a person does not serve his people with encouragement or a cheerful smile. He finds pleasure in harming others by word or action and fails to present the comforting and compassionate image of Christ to those in his care. Worse still, he labels this behavior as “administration” or “organization,” while in reality it is cruelty.

7. Not greedy for dishonest gain: He must not enter the field of ministry with a worldly mindset or material motivation. He must not love money or accept what is unlawful. In the old times it was said: “If unlawful money enters the Church, it should be used to buy firewood for ovens and never for any service.” The bishop must be ascetic, content, not fond of acquisition or ownership, self-restrained, and aware that serving the needy, the poor, and the suffering is far more important than anything else.

8. Hospitable: Welcoming those who have no one to care for them, similar to the cities of refuge in the Old Testament (Numbers 35). His church or bishopric residence should be a place of humanity, serving all souls that are known—such as the marginalized, the weary, the helpless, and the abandoned.

9. Lover of what is good: Loving every good work. A good person is one with a good heart, surrounds himself with goodness, and goes about doing good like his Teacher. All of this is encompassed in the broader concept of mercy. He has a repentant, compassionate heart and extends mercy to everyone entrusted to him—even to those outside his flock.

10. Sober-minded: A balanced person in speech and behavior, not impulsive. This is a necessary grace in the bishop’s life and stems from the fatherhood he carries, as the father of priests and of all his flock. He is calm, thoughtful, reflective, and prayerful in all matters presented to him or that he initiates.

11. Just: That is, upright: “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10). Righteous in thought, word, and action—living a pure life, always repentant, with a clear conscience. He is trustworthy, keeps his word, practices what he preaches, and walks in truth and integrity.

12. Holy: He understands the concept of “the fear of God,” which is the beginning of wisdom. He flees from evil and fears God in his journey, living a life of holiness: “Be holy, for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16). His holiness must be genuine, not superficial, lest he fall into hypocrisy and deceit.

13. Self-controlled: This means mastery over desires and inclinations—such as love of comfort, possessions, frequent travel, or detachment from his flock. It also includes managing time, thoughts, observances, words, and actions. He is a strong person trained in self-discipline through his monastic life, as documented in the writings and experiences of the wilderness. He does everything with proper measure—neither lax, nor extreme, nor rigid.

14. Holding fast the faithful word: God’s word is faithful because God does not lie (Titus 1:2). Whoever teaches it must be faithful to sound doctrine, which fosters spiritual growth in the congregation. He must remain steadfast in the Orthodox faith and teach others to cling to the faithful word through scriptural, patristic, and authentic ecclesial preaching.

These fourteen traits define the life of a bishop after God’s own heart. He must uphold them and always measure himself against them—so as not to lose any of them or allow them to slip from his grasp, lest he be found lacking on the heavenly scales. We pray that God grants us a good end and completes the days of our sojourning in peace.

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