Target audience: Orthodox diocesan administrators and jurisdiction staff managing clergy and staff contact databases
Creating and editing contact records forms the foundation of your Orthodox clergy and staff database. Each contact record contains comprehensive information that integrates with parish profiles, powers directory displays, and generates professional URLs for enhanced accessibility and search engine optimization.
Getting Started
Creating New Contacts
Navigate to Components → Contacts in your Site Manager admin panel and click Create contact. The contact editor opens with organized sections for personal information, ministry details, and Orthodox-specific features.
Editing Existing Contacts
From the contact list at Components → Contacts, click the pencil icon next to any contact to edit their information. Changes automatically update across all parish directories and contact displays.
URL Generation
When you save a contact, the system automatically creates a professional URL like /contact/101/archpriest-john-smith/ that improves search engine visibility and makes contact pages easily shareable.
Personal Information
Name Fields
Enter complete name information using the structured fields:
- Title: Orthodox clerical titles like "Fr.," "Rev.," "VRev.," "Dn.," "Protodeacon"
- First: Given name
- Middle: Middle name or initial (optional)
- Last: Family name
- Suffix: Name suffixes like "Jr.," "Sr.," "III" (stored in the "article" field)
Display Flexibility
The system intelligently displays names based on whether title and ministry information are provided, creating appropriate formats for different Orthodox contexts.
Orthodox Ministry and Rank Information
Clergy Rank/Ministry
Record the Orthodox clerical rank or ministry position:
- Clerical Ranks: "Priest," "Archpriest," "Deacon," "Protodeacon," "Bishop," "Archbishop," "Metropolitan"
- Monastic Ranks: "Monk," "Hieromonk," "Archimandrite," "Hegumen," "Nun," "Abbess"
- Administrative Positions: "Chancellor," "Dean," "Vicar," "Seminary Rector"
Rank Management
Clergy ranks can be configured and customized through the Clergy/Ministry Ranks administration page to match your jurisdiction's specific hierarchy and canonical structure.
Orthodox Titles
The system provides appropriate placeholders and examples for Orthodox clerical titles, ensuring proper formatting for canonical and liturgical contexts.
Contact Information
Address Information
Complete address fields support both personal and professional contact needs:
- Street Address: Primary address with optional second address line
- City/Town: Municipal location
- State/Province: State or provincial designation
- Zip Code/Postal Code: Postal identifier
- Country: Important for international Orthodox jurisdictions
Communication Details
- Phone: Primary contact number with appropriate formatting
- Fax: Include if used for official diocesan communications
- Email: Professional email address for directory listings and contact forms
Orthodox Language Capabilities
General Languages
Track languages spoken for pastoral care and community communication in Orthodox communities. Common entries include English, Greek, Arabic, Russian, Serbian, Romanian, or other languages relevant to Orthodox diaspora communities.
Liturgical Languages
Record languages used specifically for Orthodox worship services and liturgical functions:
- Church Slavonic
- Greek
- Arabic
- Romanian
- Serbian
- Georgian
- Russian
Language Management
Start typing to see existing language options, or create new languages by typing the name and pressing semicolon. Drag and drop to reorder languages by proficiency or liturgical usage.
Orthodox-Specific Features
Name Day Information
Record the feast day of the contact's patron saint, essential for Orthodox pastoral care, anniversary recognition, and liturgical calendar integration.
Orthodox Additional Information
Use the "More Info" field for Orthodox-specific details such as:
- Ordination dates and ordaining bishops
- Seminary education and degrees
- Monastic background and tonsure information
- Liturgical specializations (chanting, iconography)
- Canonical status and jurisdictional affiliations
- Languages of ordination or canonical reception
Orthodox Calendar Integration
Name day information integrates with Orthodox calendar systems to support pastoral care and liturgical planning within Orthodox contexts.
Featured Images
Adding Professional Photos
Click the image placeholder to upload a professional photo appropriate for Orthodox directory displays and official communications.
Orthodox Image Guidelines
- Use dignified, professional photos appropriate for clergy
- Follow any jurisdictional guidelines for clerical photography
- Ensure photos present clergy and staff appropriately for Orthodox contexts
- Consider liturgical vestments for formal clerical portraits when appropriate
Integration with Parish Profiles
Orthodox Assignment Tracking
Contacts integrate with parish profiles through the parish contacts field, supporting Orthodox administrative structures:
- Priests can be assigned to multiple parishes (common in mission areas)
- Parish profiles show all assigned clergy including visiting clergy
- Contact profiles display current parish assignments and responsibilities
- Supports complex Orthodox assignment patterns including deanery responsibilities
Transfer and Assignment Management
When clergy transfers occur:
- Update the contacts field in the new parish profile
- Remove or update the contacts field in the previous parish profile
- All directory displays automatically reflect the new assignments
Multi-Parish and Deanery Assignments
The system accommodates complex assignment patterns including:
- Clergy serving multiple parishes
- Deans with regional responsibilities
- Retired clergy assisting in various parishes
- Seminary faculty serving parishes part-time
Orthodox Directory Displays
Contact Directory Sections
Contacts can be displayed using configurable Contact sections with Orthodox-specific options:
- Filtering by Rank: Show bishops, priests, deacons separately
- Filtering by Diocese: Display clergy serving in specific dioceses
- Filtering by Deanery: Show clergy in particular administrative regions
- Search Functionality: Enable searches by name, rank, or assignment
Advanced Orthodox Features
Canonical Integration
Professional URLs and complete canonical information support Orthodox administrative needs while improving public accessibility.
Orthodox Directory Systems
Contacts seamlessly integrate with parish directories to create comprehensive Orthodox directory systems where:
- Parish listings show current clergy assignments
- Diocesan directories display clergy by rank and assignment
- Jurisdictional systems track clergy across multiple dioceses
- Canonical information supports proper ecclesiastical procedures
Orthodox Communications
Clean contact URLs work effectively for Orthodox communications including official announcements, clergy transfers, and jurisdictional directories.
This comprehensive approach to Orthodox contact management creates professional directories that serve both internal canonical administration and public Orthodox community needs while maintaining the accuracy and completeness essential for effective Orthodox church management.