Seniores laici w starożytnych wspólnotach kościelnych w afryce rzymskiej
Seniores laici in ancient church communities in roman Africa

Summary/Abstract: The article refers about the council, which in ancient Christian communities in Northern Africa constituted lay people. This council is defined by contemporary scholars in Latin as seniores laici. All sources written on the subject this group come from Roman Africa. In the most they were written in the fourth and fifth century. In the light of sources seniores laici appear as the integral part of the organization both the Church of Donatist as and Catholic in Northern Africa. Represented sources are a sufficient proof on their existence. In Church communities they took place between the Church hierarchy and the faithful people. They were chosen by the people. Fulfilling their own duties by them were collaborated with bishops in administering and the safing of the church property. They exercised also functions about the judiciary and disciplinary character which permitted them to control also behavior of their own bishops.

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