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Our Pastors and Bishops ring is a beautiful piece of consecrated jewelry to be worn by Pastors, Priests and Bishops. Depending on the denomination, liturgical Priests and Pastors should order their rings in sterling silver, and Bishops should order theirs in gold. Non-liturgical clergy can order either, although the gold makes a good distinction between those who have served in the Lord's church for 20 or more years, and those who have served fewer years. The gold ring is a way to bestow higher honor to those who have served longer and because of this, have grown wiser and more mature in the Lord. However, there is no hard and fast rules that require this to be any more than mere suggestions. The distinction in the metals can be regarded for their symbolic representations as well. Gold is the color of divinity and divine things. In the Tabernacle in the Old Testament, there was movement from the farthest distance
(the gate) from the ark within the Tabernacle in the Holy of Holies, to the shortest distance. This path was marked out as follows: brass or bronze (farther), silver and brass/bronze (nearer), gold silver (nearer) and gold (nearest). Gold signifies Christ's deity, His authority, His royal majesty, and the signet power of His name, by which the leaders in the church conduct the business of church. Silver was known as the color and metal of redemption and points to Christ's sacrifice on the cross and His finished work of redemption. It is the metallic representation of the blood of Jesus. It also signifies the authority to bear rule (serve the interests of Christ on behalf of His people) in the church, and symbolizes consecration and ordination to do so. So either metal is appropriate
for the rings of ordained and consecrated Priests, Pastors and Bishops (from now on we will simply refer to it as the Pastoral ring).
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This ring is a signet ring, and therefore, the engraving in the gem stone (Bloodstone) is intaglio, or backwards, so it can be clearly read when the ring is stamped into sealing wax on envelopes and other documents requiring the Pastors, Priests or Bishops seal. The picture of the pastoral ring's wax impression in the sealing wax shows what is engraved on the bloodstone. For more on why we chose the bloodstone and what it represents, go to sacred symbols and read the information about this significant gemstone). The chief symbol in the of the oval stone are the two main symbols of Pastoral or ecclesiastical authority, the shepherds staff and two crossed keys. All together, these symbols form the "I" "X" symbol or Christogram that formed the basis of the first letter in the Greek title "Christ (Xpictos) and the name of Jesus (Iesous). So the "I" "X" means Jesus Christ, and the symbol as a whole points to the source from which the delegated authority to lead and exercise authority in the church comes from Our Lord Jesus Christ, in whose name we conduct kingdom business.
This idea of delegated authority given by Jesus to His followers, but specifically given to His leaders within the church to lead His people, continues to be emphasized throughout the different engravings in this beautiful piece of consecrated jewelry. Above the Christogram is engraved TITUS 2:15, which reads "Teach, encourage and rebuke with all authority." Below the Christogram is MATTHEW 6:19 which reads "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal" and is a green martyr confession of poverty, forsaking the sole ownership of anything in favor of a more simplistic lifestyle of sharing and generosity. In an age where there has been too much public exposure of church leaders living lives of extravagance and excess, this scripture reminds those who bear rule in the church to never lord over others and to not be ruled by selfish greed, materialism and the love of money. Consecrated men and women should be unimpeachable, beyond bribe, and never using their calling or office as a means of manipulation exploitation.
Above the bloodstone and engraved into the metal is the Latin phrase,
PASTOR GREGIS DEI (Pastor of the flock of God). This is a reminder that the people Pastor's are called upon to lead and care for are the Lord's flock. Below the bloodstone, and engraved into the metal is the Latin phrase, MINSTER VERBI DEI (Minister of the Word of God).
On both sides (shoulders) of the signet ring is our orders particular cross with the five wounds of Christ set with the highest quality rubies. The ruby near the side of the cross represents the piercing of Christ's side, which is a major
apologetic statement against such heresies contained in Islam and other religions or cults that either deny Christ's death on the cross (such as the allegations by Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code) and/or His resurrection from the dead. For more on the significance of Christ's pierced side, go to our articles page and click on "Pierced!"
To order, please contact Pastor Peter Bertolero
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