Nicholas Bishop at Christ the King (by Jonathan)

At Christ the King Church in Sharpsburg, Georgia on Sunday, December 7th, Bishop David Epps began the service as usual with the processional hymn and acclamation. For most of those present, the first time they knew today’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 tall, 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 seat to Boy Bishop Jon Landon (17 yrs old) for the duration of the Sunday services. Jon 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 Jon after the service.

Fr. Jonathan Landon, an active-duty US Army Chaplain and Archdeacon-designate for the Archdiocese of the Armed Forces served as Bishop’s Chaplain for the Boy Bishop, and Fr. Dan Hale served as his crucifer.

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, “[U]nless 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,
And exalted the lowly.
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 is the first CEC parish to observe this ancient tradition.


PHOTO 1 - The Boy Bishop leads the parish in blessing the children.



PHOTO 9 - L-R Fr. Jonathan Landon, Chaplain (Major) US Army; Boy Bishop Jon Landon; The Most Rev. David Epps, Auxiliary Bishop of the SE Province, serving the Mid-South Diocese


Jon Landon is a Junior at East Coweta High School in Sharpsburg, Georgia, where he is active in the Marine Corps Junior ROTC. He is also active in Venture Scouts, and in CIA (Christians in Action), the youth group at Christ the King Church.