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Sacraments (or Mysteries) are holy actions of the Church by which
spiritual life is imparted to those receiving them. Ordination,
which means "to set in place" or "to select by the outreached hand,"
is one of several Orthodox sacraments. It is extended specifically
to bishops, presbyters (priests) and deacons, and generally to all
through Holy Baptism.
(1) Bishops
In His ministry Christ ordained or "set in place" the
Twelve, assuring them, "You did not choose Me, but I chose you and
appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit
should remain" (John 15:16).
Both the New Testament and the Church Fathers recognise the Twelve
as the first bishops or overseers in the Church. When Judas had
fallen away and the disciples were considering his successor, Peter
said, "Let another take his office" (Gr. Episkopen, lit. "Bishopric";
Acts 1:20). This bishopric was given to Matthias (Acts 1:26).
The apostles - these first bishops - in turn ordained presbyters
and deacons.
(2) Deacons
The account of the first ordination of deacons (Acts
6:1-6) is quite detailed. "Seek out from among you seven men of
good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, "the apostles
said, "whom we may appoint [Gr. Kathistemi, "to set down" or "ordain"]
over this business" (Acts 6:3). The manner of this appointment is
clear: "They laid hands on them" (Acts 6:6). The ordination of deacons
in the Orthodox Church takes place in the same manner today, through
the laying on of hands by the bishop.
(3) Presbyters
The first account of the ordination of elders or presbyters
is in Acts 14:23. The apostles Paul and Barnabas "appointed [lit.
"Elected by stretching forth the hand"] elders in every church,
and prayed with fasting," then "commended them to the Lord in whom
they had believed." Similarly, Paul reminds his apostolic apprentice,
Titus, "For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set
in order the things that are lacking, and appoint [set in place,
ordain] elders in every city as I commanded you" (Titus 1:5).
The Titus passage brings to mind the first prayer the bishop prays
over the one being ordained to the Orthodox priesthood; "Thy grace
divine, which always heals that which is weak, and completes that
which is lacking, elevates through the laying on of my hands this
most devout deacon to be priest."
The bishop continues to ask God to "fill with the gift of the Holy
Spirit this man ... that he may be worthy to stand in innocence
before Your holy alter, to proclaim the gospel of Your Kingdom,
to minister the word of Your truth, to offer You spiritual gifts
and sacrifices, to renew Your people through the laver of regeneration."
A dramatic moment in the service of ordination comes when the candidate
is led around the alter three times, kissing or venerating the four
corners of the altar. This symbolises his marriage to Christ, his
death with Christ, and his willingness to serve the Church sacrificially
after the example of his Master.
Ordination is seen as an eternal appointment, "for the gifts andthe
calling of God are irrevocable" (Rom. 11:29). It is in this spirit
that during each Divine Liturgy the priest prays for his bishop
that "the Lord God remember him in His Kingdom always, now and ever,
and unto ages of ages."
Through the sacrament of ordination in His Church, Christ entrusts
to the shepherd the very salvation of His people's souls.
reference: The Orthodox Study Bible,
p303
Copyright© 1993 by St. Athanasius Orthodox Academy, Nelson ISBN
0-8407-8391-4
Spiritual Fathers
One should not interfere in the business of those in authority
and judge it; by this means one offends the majesty of God, from
Whom authorities obtain their position. For there is no authority
except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by
God (Romans 13:1).
One should not oppose authorities who act for good, so as not to
sin before God and be subjected to His just chastisement: Therefore
whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and
those who resist will bring judgment on themselves (Romans 13:2).
One must be in obedience to a superior: for through this he who
is obedient prospers mightily in the formation of his soul; and
in addition he obtains by this means an understanding of things
and comes to heartfelt contrition.
St. Seraphim of Sarov
Let every abbot become and remain always in his relation to those
subject to him as a wise mother. A mother who loves her children
lives not to satisfy herself, but to satisfy her children. The infirmities
of her children she bears with love; those who have fallen into
filth she cleans, washes them calmly, clothes them in new white
garments, puts their shoes on, warms them, looks after them, comforts
them and from all sides strives to pacify their spirits so that
she never hears the slightest cry from them; and such children are
well disposed to their mother. Thus should every abbot live not
to satisfy himself, but to satisfy those subject to him - he should
be condescending to their weaknesses; bear with love the infirmities
of the infirm; heal their sinful diseases with the plaster of mercifulness;
raise with kindness those who have fallen into transgressions; quietly
cleanse those who have become sullied with the filth of some vice
and wash them by placing upon them fasting and prayer above the
ordinary amount which is set forth for all; clothe them, by instruction
and by one's own exemplary life, in garments of virtues; keep constant
watch over them, by every means comfort them, and from all sides
defend their peace and repose to such an extent that the slightest
cry or murmuring will never be heard from them; and then they will
zealously strive to procure for the abbot peace and repose.
St. Seraphim of Sarov
A man who believes that his life and death are in the hands of
his shepherd will never argue. Argument is born of ignorance of
this fact, which causes eternal spiritual death
St. Symeon the New Theologian
The spiritual father is charismatic and the living icon of Christ;
he is himself Christ.
St. Symeon the New Theologian
Link: Greek
Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia
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