OIKONOMOS, a term of Greek origin denoting an ecclesiastical or
monastic functionary who is involved in economic activity, a
steward. As a rule, although not necessarily, he was a presbyter
or deacon. In churches the oikonomos is well attested already by
the fourth century. Mention is made of an oikonomos in the
episcopal church in Tentyra; such functionaries appear also in
literary texts and documents (Wipszycka, 1972). In the middle of
the fifth century, the Council of CHALCEDON, sanctioning an
already existing practice, made it obligatory for the bishop to
have an oikonomos. The existence of an oikonomos in lower-
ranking churches depended upon the local conditions—the
composition of clergy, the church property that had to be
administered, et cetera. The oikonomos was always nominated by a
bishop also for the nonepiscopal churches. He was responsible to
the bishop, and his personal belongings served as a guarantee
for repaying eventual losses. The oikonomos of episcopal
churches was considerably independent