Pojęcie laikatu i kleru w Kościele prawosławnym

The article describes the terminological issues referring to the concept of laity and clergy on the basis of the Holy Scripture and their use in the early Christian Church. In the further part of the article, we refer to the formation of the clergy, its degrees and the requirements and privileges basing on the canons. The question of various translations of canons into modern languages is also discussed, with reference to concepts related to clergy and laity. The last part of the article is devoted to the Orthodox understanding of the role and service of the laity in the Orthodox Church.