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Priesthood

"Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach" (Mark 3:14)

The Sacrament of Ordination (Holy Orders) is the ceremony in which the candidate is consecrated as a shepherd and minister of Christ to teach His Gospel, administer the sacred ceremonies and guide people to salvation.

This Mystery was instituted by Christ when He commissioned His Apostles saying:

"Peace be to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you". And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit" (John 20:21-22)

There are three "Major Orders": Bishop, Priest and Deacon, and two "Minor Orders": Sub-deacon and Reader; only Major Orders carry sacramental powers. Universal Priesthood of all Christians must not be confused with the Sacramental one.

This Sacrament bestows the grace and power from God necessary to perform the sacred ceremonies of the Church (there are different degrees of power according to each of the three Sacramental Orders). The grace bestowed in this sacrament is indelible.

The Sacrament of Priesthood is indispensable for the sanctification and administration of all sacraments. Jesus chose from among His followers twelve men to whom He imparted special gifts in order to carry out His mission on earth:

"Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers" (Acts 20:28)

The Twelve also passed this power on through ordinations to bishops who themselves passed it on to the priests they ordained. In this way, the Church hierarchy today can trace its lineage back to Christ who is the Supreme Priest, the true and invisible Officiator of all the Sacraments.

The officiators of the ceremony are either one bishop (for ordinations of deacons or priests), or at least two bishops (for ordinations of other bishops). The special gift from the Holy Spirit is administered by laying hands on the head of the candidate. Ordinations require the consent of the faithful, that is why during the service of Ordination, the congregation, lead in prayer by the bishops, gives its approval by shouting AXIOS! (He is worthy!).

The candidates are selected from the male members of the community. While bishops are elected, deacons and priests are selected by the bishop after careful examination. Here are some of the requirements:

- Orthodox Baptism (Canon 19 of the First Ecumenical Council);

- not a recent convert (cf. 1 Tim. 3:6);

- irreproachable faith and good conduct (cf. Tit. 1; 1 Tim. 3);

- good knowledge of Scripture and Canons of the Church (cf. Canon 2 of the Seventh Ec. Council);

- in good health and no physical disabilities that may prevent him from performing his duties;

- minimum age is 25 (deacons), 30 (priests) and 35 (bishops) (cf. Canon 15 of the Sixth Ec. Council), although exceptions are allowed;

- candidates may be married or celibate, except bishops who need to be in monastic vows;

- marriage is forbidden after ordination; widowed clergy may be accepted to ordination as bishop with the condition of accepting monastic vows.

Click here for the Service of Holy Orders.