In the Orthodox Church there are to
be found three “Major Orders”-Bishop. Priest and Deacon — and two “Minor
Orders” — Subdeacon and Reader (although in ancient times there were other
“Minor Orders” which have now fallen into disuse). The Holy Apostles appointed
seven men (Church Tradition calls them “Deacons”) to perform a special serving
ministry (Acts 6:2-6) and in his first Letter to the Corinthians, St. Paul speaks of
various ministries in the Church (1 Cor. 12:28). Likewise, he addresses
his Letter to the Philippians, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at
Philip pi, with the bishops and deacons (Phil. 1:1). In his first Letter to
Timothy, the Holy Apostle also speaks of the qualifications of Bishops and
Deacons (1 Tim. 3:1-13), as well as in his Letter to Titus (1.5-9).
Ordinations to the “Major Orders”
always occur during the course of the Divine Liturgy, whereas those to the
“Minor Orders” usually take place during the Hours preceding the Liturgy. Only
the Bishop has the power to ordain (although in cases of necessity an
Archimandrite or Archpriest, as representative of the Bishop, may be granted
permission to ordain a Reader). Because of the collegial nature of the
episcopacy, a college of Bishops (at least two or three) are necessary to consecrate another Bishop.
And since any ordination requires the consent of the whole people of God, at a
particular point in the Service the assembled congregation proclaims Axios! (He
is worthy!), showing their assent.
The rite of consecration to the
episcopacy is very solemn and the Bishop is ordained in the Sanctuary, in the
midst of the Congregation before the singing of the Trisagion (Holy God]. Thus
the reading of the Holy Gospel is done already with his blessing.
The Priest is ordained after the
singing of the Cherubic Hymn before the sanctification of the Holy Gifts. The
rite of ordination to the Deaconate is less solemn and takes place before the
singing of the Lord's Prayer, when the sanctification of the Holy Gifts has
already taken place, since the Deacon only assists at the performance of the
Sacraments and does not perform them. At the conclusion of the Liturgy the
Priest goes out to the people in order to read the Prayer Before the Ambo and
the Deacon to say the final litany, these actions being the first external
signs of their ministry.
In all cases of ordination to the
“Major Orders,” there is a laying-on of hands on the head of the one being
ordained and the grace of the Holy Spirit is invoked. Like ordination to the
“Major Orders,” ordination to the “Minor Orders” also involves a laying-on of
hands, but there is no invocation of the Holy Spirit in these ordinations.
Orthodox Priests and Deacons are
divided into two distinct groups — the married (white or parochial) clergy and
the monastic (or black) clergy. The monastic clergy are by nature unmarried,
but one seeking ordination to the ranks of the white clergy may now choose to
be celibate (unmarried) or married, but must make the choice prior to
ordination since, under Orthodox Canon Law, one may not marry after ordination.
A celibate Priest or Deacon may not later marry and a married Priest or Deacon
whose wife dies may not remarry. Also, one who has been divorced may not be
permitted to be ordained. Bishops are drawn exclusively from the ranks of the
monastic clergy, although a celibate or widower may be consecrated Bishop after
having taken monastic vows. In ancient times married men were permitted to
become Bishops (such was the case of St. Peter himself), but such has not been
the case since at least the 6th Century.