In Ap. Trad.
3 the imagery of the bishop’s office is sacerdotal (αρχιερατεια). To “serve You as high priest (αρχιερατευειν σοι αμεμπτως)” is “to offer to you gifts (προσφερειν σοι τα δωρα)” and “to have authority to forgive sins (εχειν εξουσιαν
αφιεναι αμαρτιας).” The action of the bishop is
propitiatory (ιλασκεσθαι τω προσωπω σου), in a sacred place (αγιασμα) which God does not wish to be left
unattended by an official ministry (αλειτουργητον). Abraham
rather than Aaron is mentioned because presumably Abraham performed both sacrificial
and leadership functions to that he as a model acted both παρα σου δυναμιν του ηγεμονικου
πνευματος and also τω πνευματι
τω
αρχιερατικω. (Revd Allen Brent, Hippolytus and the Roman
Church in the Third Century: Communities in Tension Before the Emergence of a
Monarch-Bishop [Texts and Studies of Early Christian Life and Language 31;
Leiden: Brill, 1995], 305)
