hierárkhia

Hierárkhia (Greek: ἱεραρχία; transliteration ierárkhía) refers to a system of authority organized into ranked levels. The term is derived from Greek elements meaning “sacred” (hierós) and “to rule” or “to lead” (arkhē or arkhō), and its literal sense is the governance by a sacred or ordered hierarchy.

In usage, hierárkhia denotes both the general idea of a graded order and the specific organization of institutions. In religious contexts, it describes the structured ranks within churches, most notably the clergy (such as bishops, priests, and deacons) and, in broader medieval and theological writing, celestial hierarchies of angels. The concept also extends to secular settings, where organizations—governments, corporations, or social groups—are described as hierarchies with defined authorities and subordinates.

Historically, the term gained prominence in Christian ecclesiology and philosophical theology. Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite popularized the notion of celestial hierarchies in his writings on heaven and angels, treating hierarchy as a universal principle of order. The idea also influenced organizational theory, as later scholars sought to explain power, governance, and duty through layered structures.

Related concepts include clergical hierarchy, administrative hierarchy, and social stratification. While hierárkhia can reflect efficiency and clarity of command, it is also subject to critique for potentially reinforcing rigid power dynamics or limiting flexibility.