Holy Orders
All Christians are called, through their Baptism, to participate in the Church’s mission and ministry in one way or another.
But some Church members are also called to ordained ministry as Deacons, Priests, or Bishops—the three “degrees” of Holy Orders. Ordination consists of the bishop's laying-on-of-hands with prayer, and conveys the grace that enables the ordained person to fulfill the ordination vows. Ordination to each degree of Holy Orders is unrepeatable, ordained ministry is lifelong, and the sacramental "character" conveyed by ordination is indelible.
The Episcopal Church maintains the Apostolic Succession - an unbroken chain of the laying-on-of-hands by bishops going back to the apostolic age and signifying the Church's unity in all times and places.
Ordination presupposes a lengthy process of discernment and preparation involving the individual, the parish community, and the wider Church. If you think you may be feeling the stirrings of a call to ordained ministry, the first step is to talk with your parish priest.
It behooves us all to pray regularly for increased vocations, for seminarians and others preparing for ordination, and for all Bishops, Priests, and Deacons.
But some Church members are also called to ordained ministry as Deacons, Priests, or Bishops—the three “degrees” of Holy Orders. Ordination consists of the bishop's laying-on-of-hands with prayer, and conveys the grace that enables the ordained person to fulfill the ordination vows. Ordination to each degree of Holy Orders is unrepeatable, ordained ministry is lifelong, and the sacramental "character" conveyed by ordination is indelible.
The Episcopal Church maintains the Apostolic Succession - an unbroken chain of the laying-on-of-hands by bishops going back to the apostolic age and signifying the Church's unity in all times and places.
Ordination presupposes a lengthy process of discernment and preparation involving the individual, the parish community, and the wider Church. If you think you may be feeling the stirrings of a call to ordained ministry, the first step is to talk with your parish priest.
It behooves us all to pray regularly for increased vocations, for seminarians and others preparing for ordination, and for all Bishops, Priests, and Deacons.