At the Cathedral of Christ the King in Sharpsburg, Georgia on Sunday, December 6th, Bishop David Epps began the services as usual with the processional hymn and acclamation. For most of those present, the first time they knew the day’s service was going to be something special was when the choir launched into the processional hymn again, and a second procession entered the nave of the church. At the rear of the procession was a young man in the full regalia of a bishop – a young man they knew very well, but were more accustomed to seeing in the cassock and cotta of an acolyte.
Bishop Epps surrendered his crosier and his seat to Nicholas Bishop (also known as a “Boy Bishop”) Thomas Metzger, age 12, for the duration of the Sunday services. Thomas presided at the Sunday Service – except for the Absolution and celebrating communion – and he preached a brief sermon he had written himself. The members of the congregation agreed that it was a very creditable first sermon and energetically congratulated Boy Bishop Thomas with a standing ovation.
Last year’s Boy Bishop, Jon Paul Landon, now 18, served as Bishop’s Chaplain for the Boy Bishop.
Selecting Nicholas Bishops or Boy Bishops was once a popular tradition throughout Europe, from the tip of Italy to the Hebrides in Scotland and from Ireland to Hungary. The ceremony is a lesson in humility and recognition of the wisdom of youthful innocence.
It is a way of symbolically representing the teaching of Christ, “Unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:3-4, NKJV) The custom fits perfectly with the Advent themes of turning the tables and oversetting expectations. In the words of Mary,
[The Lord] has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He has put down the mighty from their thrones, (This would be the Bishop)
And exalted the lowly. (This would be the “Boy Bishop”)
He has filled the hungry with good things,
And the rich He has sent away empty. (Luke 1:51-53)
The appointment of Boy Bishops honors the feast of St. Nicholas of Myra, patron of children, who is traditionally remembered as having a special, personal concern for the safety and well-being of children. From St. Nicholas Day, December 6th, until Holy Innocents, December 28th, topsy-turvey was the order of the day. The Boy Bishop took the bishop’s throne and wore his regalia, presiding at all services in the cathedral. The altar servers sat in the places of dignity usually occupied by the clergy and the reverend canons of the cathedral filled the roles of altar servers. The Boy Bishop was empowered to declare extra holidays, and to decree the distribution of sweets to the children of the diocese, paid for from the diocesan treasury.
Though Queen Elizabeth I ended the custom in England, it survived on the Continent until 1799. In modern times, churches have begun to revive the custom, especially in English cathedrals and parishes. As far as we know, Christ the King Church was the first CEC parish to observe this ancient tradition.
Although Thomas’ “reign” lasted only one day, both he and the congregation were impressed by the experience. He said later, “Maybe one day I’ll do something in the Church.”
Thomas Metzger is a home school student who enjoys sports, especially baseball, and likes school (although, as he said in his sermon, he thinks algebra “may be of the devil”). Thomas is an active acolyte and also assists at the Sunday morning coffee fellowships. Thomas is the oldest of three sons of Richard and Sallie Metzger, the younger sons being George and Charles. Thomas’ maternal grandparents, Bud and Virginia Fretwell of Myrtle Beach, SC, were also present for the presentation of the Boy Bishop.
