Ordination is the sacramental setting apart of a person for ordained ministry in the Church. Orthodox Christianity has three major orders of clergy: bishop, priest, and deacon.
Who performs an ordination? A bishop ordains deacons and priests. Bishops themselves are consecrated by other bishops according to the canonical practice of the Church.
Do the three orders have the same role? No. Each has distinct responsibilities in worship, pastoral care, teaching, and church administration.
For the place of bishops in the Church, see Why Does the Orthodox Church Have Bishops?.
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Established with the blessing of V. Rev. Fr. Wiaczeslaw, Rector of Orthodox Christian Cathedral of the Transfiguration of Our Lord (NY). |
