Open main menu

OrthodoxWiki β

Ordination

Revision as of 22:58, August 5, 2005 by MariaCrabtree (talk | contribs) (Subdiaconate)
This article forms part of the series
Orthodox Spirituality
Holy Mysteries
Baptism - Chrismation
Eucharist - Confession
Marriage - Ordination
Holy Unction
Three Stages
Catharsis/Purification
Theoria/Illumination
Theosis/Divinization
Hesychasm
Nepsis - Metanoia
Hesychia - Phronema
Mysticism - Nous
Asceticism
Chastity - Obedience
Stability - Fasting
Poverty - Monasticism
Virtues
Humility - Generosity
Chastity - Meekness
Temperance - Contentment
Diligence
Prayer
Worship - Veneration
Prayer Rule - Jesus Prayer
Relics
Church Fathers
Desert Fathers
Cappadocians
The Philokalia
The Ladder of Divine Ascent
Edit this box

Ordination is a sacrament (or one of the holy mysteries) of holy orders. The Greek word used for ordination is "cheirotonia", which means "the laying on of hands". Members of a major orderbishop, priest, and deacon—are ordained during a Divine Liturgy by a bishop, who is usually assisted by several priests. According to Orthodox teaching, the process of ordination begins with the local congregation; but the bishop alone, who acts in the name of the universal Church, can complete the action.

Subdiaconate

Subdeacons are ordained during the Divine Liturgy immediately before "Blessed is the Kingdom", once the Great Censing has been completed. According to the canons, no one should marry after becoming a subdeacon because they're ordained, but that's done often, anyway.

Diaconate

Ranks


Monastic:

  • Hierodeacon
  • Protodeacon

Married:

  • Deacon
  • Archdeacon

Priesthood

During the service of ordination to the priesthood, a priest leads the candidate, then kneels and rests his head on the altar. The bishop puts his stole and right hand over the candidate's head as the candidate receives the Holy Spirit. The entire congregation witnesses the ordination and proclaims its consent by shouting in unison "Axios!" (Greek word meaning 'worthy'). The bishop bestows sacred vestments on the new priest, who receives communion and recites a special prayer. Through ordination, men who have been chosen from within the Church are set apart by the Church for special service to the Church. Much of the time, a candidate for ordination will pursue preparatory studies at a seminary.

Ranks


Monastic:

  • Hieromonk
  • Igumen (abbot)
  • Archimandrite

Married:

  • Presbyter
  • Archpriest
  • Protopresbyter

Episcopacy

Candidates for the episcopacy are consecrated by three bishops (or at the very least two) to be bishops. The Quinisext Council decreed that bishops should be monks, and if anyone chosen is not, they need to be made one. A bishops vestments include wearing the klobuk and the mandiya, which are monastic garments.

Ranks


  • Bishop
  • Archbishop
  • Metropolatin
  • Patriarch

See also

External Links