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99-520: A hieromonk can be either a monk who has been ordained to the priesthood or a priest who has received monastic tonsure . When a married priest's wife dies, it is not uncommon for him to become a monk, since the Church forbids clergy to enter into a second marriage after ordination. Ordination to the priesthood is the exception rather than the rule for monastics , as a monastery will usually only have as many hieromonks and hierodeacons as it needs to perform

198-426: A Roman collar is often worn, although this is not a traditional or widespread practice. A protodeacon ( Ecclesiastical Greek : πρωτοδιάκονος protodiakonos , "first deacon") is a distinction of honor awarded to senior deacons, usually serving on the staff of the diocesan bishop. An archdeacon is similar, but is among the monastic clergy. Protodeacons and archdeacons use a double-length orarion even if it

297-534: A consecration . Many ancient sources specify that at least three bishops are necessary to consecrate another, e.g., the 13th Canon of the Council of Carthage (AD 394) states, "A bishop should not be ordained except by many bishops, but if there should be necessity he may be ordained by three," and the first of "The Canons of the Holy and Altogether August Apostles" states, "Let a bishop be ordained by two or three bishops," while

396-493: A religious institute , while Rev. Deacon is used as the honorific for permanent deacons in many dioceses (e.g., Rev. Deacon John Smith, or Deacon John Smith). The decision as to whether deacons wear the Roman collar as street attire is left to the discretion of each bishop for his own diocese. Where clerical garb is approved by the bishop, the deacon can choose to wear or not wear the "collar". Deacons, like seminarians, religious, and

495-578: A stole over their left shoulder and fastened on the right side of their waist. This is worn both over the surplice and the alb . A deacon might also wear a dalmatic . Church of England deacons are supported through the CofE Network of Distinctive Deacons (CENDD). Bishop James Newcome of Carlisle is the Distinctive Deacons’ Champion in the House of Bishops . In Methodism, deacons began as

594-473: A book known as an Ordinal which provides the ordo (ritual and rubrics) for celebrations. In Catholicism and Orthodoxy, ordination is one of the seven sacraments , variously called holy orders or cheirotonia (" Laying on of Hands "). Apostolic succession is considered an essential and necessary concept for ordination in the Catholic, Orthodox, High Church Lutheran, Moravian, and Anglican traditions, with

693-456: A ceremony called "pastoral consecration". Jehovah's Witnesses consider an adherent's baptism to constitute ordination as a minister . Governments have generally recognized that Jehovah's Witnesses' full-time appointees (such as their " regular pioneers ") qualify as ministers regardless of sex or appointment as an elder or deacon ("ministerial servant") . The religion asserts ecclesiastical privilege only for its appointed elders, but

792-682: A diaconal order, similar to that in the British church. There are two distinct offices of deacon in the Church of Scotland . The best-known form of diaconate are trained and paid pastoral workers. The permanent diaconate was formerly exclusively female, and it was in 1988, the centenary year of the diaconate, that men were admitted to the office of deacon. The offices of deacon and minister are now both open to both women and men; deacons are now ordained (they were previously "commissioned"). The other office of deacon can be found in congregations formerly belonging to

891-643: A hieromonk is not addressed by his family name , but only by his religious name. In writing, if it becomes necessary to use his family name—for instance, to distinguish him from another hieromonk with the same religious name—the family name should be placed in parentheses . Example: "Hieromonk John (Smith)". In cultures where a patronymic is customary, monks are never addressed by their patronymic, but only by their religious name. In some countries, married clergy are referred to as "white clergy", while monastic clergy are called "black clergy" because monks should always wear black clothing but married clergy in many parts of

990-510: A parish by the diocesan bishop, where they are under the supervision of the parish priests, or in diocesan ministries. Unlike most clerics, permanent deacons who also have a secular profession have no right to receive a salary for their ministry, but many dioceses opt to remunerate them anyway. During the Mass , the deacon's responsibilities include assisting the priest, proclaiming the Gospel, announcing

1089-435: A rim at the top. In Slavic practice, a hierodeacon (monastic deacon) wears the simple black kamilavka of a monk (without the rim), but removes the monastic veil (see klobuk ) when vested; a married deacon would not wear a kamilavka unless it is given to them by the bishop as an ecclesiastical award ; the honorary kamilavka is purple in colour, and may be awarded to either married or monastic clergy. As far as street clothing

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1188-590: A serving Roman deacon was raised to Pope, Silverius . The diaconate has been retained as a separate vocation in Eastern Christianity , while in Western Christianity it was largely used in cathedrals and as a temporary step along the path toward priestly ordination. In the 20th century, the diaconate was restored as a vocational order in many Western churches, most notably in the Catholic Church ,

1287-518: A significant topic of discussion in recent years. Texts passed down in every Buddhist tradition record that Gautama Buddha created an order of fully ordained nuns, but the tradition has died out in some Buddhist traditions such as Theravada Buddhism, while remaining strong in others such as Chinese Buddhism ( Dharmaguptaka lineage). In the Tibetan lineage , which follows the Mulasarvastivadin lineage,

1386-453: A student's completion of a 4-year B.A. of Islamic studies or a 7–8 alim course, these ceremonies do not in any way symbolize ordination. The ordination of a rabbi within Judaism is referred to as semikhah ( Hebrew : סמיכה , "leaning [of the hands]", or semicha lerabanim Hebrew : סמיכה לרבנות , "rabbinical ordination"). The term is derived from a Hebrew word which means to "rely on", in

1485-639: A transitional order before ordination as elders (presbyters). In 1996, the United Methodist Church ended the transitional deacon and established a new Order of Deacons to be equal in status with the Order of Elders. Both men and women may be ordained as deacons. Deacons serve in a variety of specialized ministries including, but not limited to, Christian education, music, communications and ministries of justice and advocacy. Unlike United Methodist elders, deacons must find their own place of service. Nevertheless,

1584-505: A wise and brave woman named Deborah was the fourth judge of the ancient Israelites . She was instrumental in implementing a strategic military strategy that delivered the Israelites from the oppressive Canaanite king Jabin . Likewise, Jael was courageous and primary in the Israelite victory. Her prudent actions killed the commander Sisera after he fled on foot following the battle. Within

1683-510: A year after their diaconal ordination. However, there are some deacons who do not go on to receive priestly ordination, recognising a vocation to remain in the diaconate. A permanent deacon is also known as a "distinctive deacon", or a "vocational deacon". Many provinces of the Anglican Communion ordain both women and men as deacons. Many of those provinces that ordain women to the priesthood previously allowed them to be ordained only to

1782-605: Is a member of the diaconate , an office in Christian churches that is generally associated with service of some kind, but which varies among theological and denominational traditions. Major Christian denominations, such as the Catholic Church , the Oriental Orthodox Churches , the Eastern Orthodox Church , Lutheranism , Methodism , Anglicanism , and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , view

1881-621: Is an Arabic word meaning "old man" and is used as an honorable title for a learned man; shaikhah refers to a woman learned in Islamic issues. This title is usually more prevalent in the Arabic countries. The word maulana is a title bestowed upon students who have graduated from a madrasa (Islamic theological school) throughout the Indian subcontinent region. Although different Muslim schools, universities or madrasas might follow different graduation ceremonies upon

1980-745: Is commonly termed in the Methodist Church), a number of deaconesses transferred and recruitment for the WDO ceased from 1978. The 1986 Methodist Conference re-opened the order to both men and women and the first ordinations to the renewed order occurred during the 1990 Conference in Cardiff, which coincided with celebrations of 100 years of diaconal service in British Methodism; deaconesses had previously been ordained at their annual convocation . The Methodist Church of Southern Africa ordains deacons who constitute

2079-589: Is concerned, immediately following ordination a deacon receives a blessing to wear the exorasson ( Arabic : Jib'be , Slavonic : r iasa ), an outer cassock with wide sleeves, in addition to the anterion (Slavonic: podriasnik), the inner cassock worn by all orders of clergy. In the Slavic practice, married clergy may wear any of a number of colours, but most often grey, while monastic clergy always wear black. In certain jurisdictions in North America and Western Europe,

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2178-534: Is conferred on seminarians continuing to the priesthood no sooner than 23 years of age (canon 1031 of the Code of Canon Law). As a permanent state, the diaconate can be conferred on single men 25 or older, and on married men 35 or older, but an older age can be required by the episcopal conference. If a married deacon is widowed, he must maintain the celibate state. Under some very rare circumstances, however, deacons who have been widowed can receive permission to remarry. This

2277-560: Is done by or under the direction of the stake or mission president. To perform a priesthood ordination, one or more authorized priesthood holders place their hands lightly on the person's head." Latter-day Saints believe in a line of priesthood authority that traces back to Jesus Christ and his apostles . LDS adherents believe the church's founder, Joseph Smith , was ordained under the hands of apostles Peter , James , and John , who appeared to Smith as angelic messengers in 1829. Muslims do not formally ordain religious leaders. Ordination

2376-549: Is laid down in the Vinaya and Patimokkha or Pratimoksha scriptures. There exist three intact ordination lineages nowadays in which one can receive an ordination according to the Buddha's teachings: Saicho repeatedly requested that the Japanese government allow the construction of a Mahayana ordination platform. Permission was granted in 822 CE, seven days after Saicho died. The platform

2475-439: Is more liberally applied than the corresponding vestment of the priest, the chasuble . At certain major celebrations, such as ordinations, the diocesan bishop wears a dalmatic under his chasuble, now taken to signify that he enjoys the fullness of the three degrees of holy orders—deacon, priest, and bishop, but owing its origin, like the sakkos of Byzantine-rite bishops, to the court dress of the eastern Roman Empire. The diaconate

2574-493: Is most commonly done when the deacon is left as a single father. In some cases, a widowed deacon will seek priestly ordination, especially if his children are grown. A deacon is not styled "Father" as a priest would be, but as "Deacon", abbreviated variously as "Dn." or "Dcn." This preferred method of address is stated in the 2005 document of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops , "National Directory for

2673-545: Is not the local tradition for all deacons to use it. In the Slavic tradition a deacon may be awarded the doubled-orarion even if not a protodeacon or archdeacon. According to the practice of the Greek Orthodox Church of America, in keeping with the tradition of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the most common way to address a deacon is "Father". The tradition of kissing the hands of ordained clergy extends to

2772-499: Is only draped over the left shoulder but, if elevated to the rank of archdeacon, the deacon wears the "doubled-orarion", meaning it is passed over the left shoulder, under the right arm, and then crossed over the left shoulder (see photograph, right). In modern Greek practice, a deacon wears this doubled orarion from the time of their ordination. Also, in the Greek practice, a deacon wears the clerical kamilavka (cylindrical head covering) with

2871-570: Is open to both women and men. Diaconal ministry is one of two ordained ministries within the Methodist Church. The original Wesleyan Deaconess Order was founded by Thomas Bowman Stephenson in 1890, following observation of new ministries in urban areas in the previous years. The order continued as the Wesley Deaconess Order following Methodist Union in 1932, but, following the admission of women to "The Ministry" (as presbyteral ministry

2970-554: Is ordained by those with proper authority and ordained properly and validly; thorough records of priesthood ordination are kept by the church. Ordination is performed by the laying on of hands . Ordination to the office of priest in the Aaronic priesthood gives the ordained person the authority to: Ordination to the Melchizedek priesthood includes the authority to perform all the duties of the Aaronic priesthood, as well as ordain others to

3069-602: Is said about her duties or authority, although it is assumed she carried Paul's Letter to the Romans . Female deacons are mentioned by the Roman author Pliny the Younger in a letter to the Roman emperor Trajan dated c.  112 : I believed it was necessary to find out from two female slaves ( ex duabus ancillis ) who were called deacons ( ministrae ), what was true—and to find out through torture ( per tormenta ) This

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3168-708: Is the earliest Latin text that appears to refer to female deacons as a distinct category of Christian minister. A biblical description of the qualities required of a deacon can be found in 1 Timothy 3:1–13. The Synod of Arles in 314 and the First Council of Nicaea denied deacons the possibility of presiding over the Eucharist even in exceptional cases. Among the more prominent deacons in history are: Prominent historical figures who played major roles as deacons and went on to higher office include Athanasius of Alexandria , Thomas Becket, and Reginald Pole . On June 8, 536,

3267-405: Is viewed as a distinct aspect of other religions and is rejected. Islam does not have a formal and separated clergy. Religious leaders are usually called imams , sheikhs or maulana . The title imam (when used outside the historic Shi'ite context ) refers to someone who leads in prayer and can also be used in a linguistic sense for anyone who leads other Muslims in congregational prayers. Sheikh

3366-401: The Anglican Communion , and the United Methodist Church . In the Catholic, Scandinavian Lutheran , Anglican, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox , and Persian churches, the diaconate is one of the major orders —the others being bishop , presbyter ( priest ), and, historically, subdeacon . Deacons assist priests in their pastoral and administrative duties, but often report directly to

3465-630: The Council of Trent , to contemporary times, the only men ordained as deacons were seminarians who were completing the last year or so of graduate theological training, so-called "transitional deacons". Following the recommendations of the Second Vatican Council ( Lumen gentium 29) and the instigation of the Josephites (whose work with African Americans necessitated increased vocational opportunity for married men), in 1967 Pope Paul VI issued

3564-570: The General Intercessions , and distributing Communion. They may also preach the homily. As clerics, deacons are required to pray the Liturgy of the Hours . Deacons, like priests and bishops, are ordinary ministers of the sacrament of Baptism and may witness at the sacrament of holy matrimony outside of Mass. Deacons may lead funeral rites outside Mass such as the final commendation at the gravesite or

3663-504: The New Testament that deacons have an equal, but distinct ministry from presbyters. Deacons are called to a ministry of service and witness, and "to hold before them the needs and concerns of the world". The Methodist Diaconal Order is both an order of ministry and a religious order within the Methodist Church in Britain. It was formed in 1989 as a successor to the Wesley Deaconess Order and

3762-541: The Presanctified Liturgy ), but only one person may be ordained to each order at any given service, that is, at most one bishop, one presbyter, and one deacon may be ordained at the same liturgy. In most Protestant churches, ordination is the rite by which their various churches: For the sake of authorization and church order, and not for reason of 'powers' or 'ability', individuals in most mainline Protestant churches must be ordained in order to preside at

3861-515: The Presbyterian Church (USA) , Presbyterian Church in America and Orthodox Presbyterian Church , also elect deacons, along with elders . However, in some churches the property-functions of the diaconate and session of elders is commended to an independent board of trustees . In many Dutch Reformed churches deacons are charged with ministries of mercy. As such, the deacons are also members of

3960-698: The Unitarian Universalist Association , candidates for "ministerial fellowship" with the denomination (usually third-year divinity school students) are reviewed, interviewed, and approved (or rejected) by the UUA Ministerial Fellowship Committee (MFC). However, given the fundamental principle of congregational polity , individual UU congregations make their own determination on ordination of ministers, and congregations may sometimes even hire or ordain persons who have not received UUA ministerial fellowship, and may or may not serve

4059-616: The United Presbyterian Church of Scotland in 1900 creating the United Free Church of Scotland , which itself united with the Church of Scotland in 1929. The 100+ congregations of the remnant post-1900 Free Church of Scotland , alongside the Free Presbyterian Church and Reformed Presbyterian Church , continue to ordain men as both elders and deacons, with deacons (operating through a Deacons' Court) caring for

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4158-413: The clergy , who are thus then authorized (usually by the denominational hierarchy composed of other clergy) to perform various religious rites and ceremonies. The process and ceremonies of ordination vary by religion and denomination. One who is in preparation for, or who is undergoing the process of ordination is sometimes called an ordinand . The liturgy used at an ordination is commonly found in

4257-436: The motu proprio Sacrum Diaconatus Ordinem , reviving the practice of ordaining to the diaconate men who were not candidates for priestly ordination. These men are known as "permanent deacons", in contrast to those continuing their formation, who were then called "transitional deacons". There is no sacramental or canonical difference between the two, however, as there is only one order of deacons. The period of formation to

4356-493: The pre-1900 Free Church of Scotland , with a "Deacons' Court" having responsibility for financial and administrative oversight of congregations. Only a few congregations still retain this constitutional model, with most having since adopted the Church of Scotland's "Model Constitution" (with a kirk session and congregational board) or "Unitary Congregation" (with just a kirk session). Most of the Free Church congregations united with

4455-482: The 1960s, deacons in the Church of Sweden were required to be celibate . For deacons, "vows made at ordination involve seeking and helping anyone in bodily or spiritual need, defending the rights of all, standing beside the oppressed, and exhorting God's people to all good works so that the love of God is made visible in the world." An ordained deacon's charism includes "visits, helps, and supports those in bodily or spiritual need; gives Christian nurture and teaching in

4554-459: The Book of Judges, there is a repetitive cycle of sin and deliverance. There is also a proposition regarding the cyclical offenses: "In those days Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes" (Jdg. 21:25). Based partially upon the leadership of the prophetess, Deborah, some Protestant and non-denominational organizations grant ordination to women. Other denominations refute

4653-740: The Catholic Church. Some have even begun protest churches. Policy regarding the ordination of women differs among the different denominations of Judaism . Most Orthodox congregations do not allow female rabbis, while more liberal congregations began allowing female rabbis by the middle of the twentieth century. Most Abrahamic religions condemn the practice of homosexuality and the Bible has been interpreted that in Romans 1 that homosexuals are "worthy of death". Interpretation of this passage, as with others potentially condemning homosexuality varies greatly between and within different denominations. Beginning in

4752-544: The Catholic and Anglican churches recognize Orthodox ordinations. In the Catholic and Anglican churches, ordinations have traditionally been held on Ember Days , though there is no limit to the number of clergy who may be ordained at the same service. In the Eastern Orthodox Church, ordinations may be performed any day of the year on which the Divine Liturgy may be celebrated (and deacons may also be ordained at

4851-457: The Eucharist. In common use , however, the term priest , when unqualified, refers to the order of presbyter, whereas presbyter is mainly used in rites of ordination and other places where a technical and precise term is required. Ordination of a bishop is performed by several bishops; ordination of a priest or deacon is performed by a single bishop. The ordination of a new bishop is also called

4950-574: The Formation, Ministry and Life of Permanent Deacons in the United States". The proper address in written correspondence for all deacons of the Latin Church in the United States is "Deacon Name ", although it is not uncommon to see "Rev. Mr." sometimes used. "Rev. Mr.", however, is more often used to indicate a transitional deacon (i.e., preparing for ordination to the priesthood) or one who belongs to

5049-527: The Latin Catholic deacon are the alb , stole and dalmatic . Deacons, like priests and bishops, must wear their albs and stoles; deacons place the stole over their left shoulder and it hangs across to their right side, while priests and bishops wear it around their necks. The dalmatic, a vestment especially associated with the deacon, is worn during the celebration of the Mass and other liturgical functions; its use

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5148-551: The Melchizedek or Aaronic priesthood, perform confirmations , bless and anoint the sick with oil, bless and dedicate graves, and other such rites. There are five offices within the Melchizedek Priesthood to which one could potentially be ordained: "Ordination to an office in the Aaronic Priesthood is done by or under the direction of the bishop or branch president. Ordination to an office in the Melchizedek Priesthood

5247-760: The NKT-IKBU ordination consists of the Five Precepts of a lay person, plus five more precepts created by Kelsang Gyatso . He is said to view them as a "practical condensation" of the 253 Vinaya vows of fully ordained monks. There are also no formal instructions and guidelines for the behaviour of monks and nuns within the NKT. Because the behaviour of monks and nuns is not clearly defined "each Resident Teacher developed his or her own way of 'disciplining' monks and nuns at their centres ...". Kelsang Gyatso's ordination has been publicly criticised by Geshe Tashi Tsering as going against

5346-512: The Protestant Reformation and the loosening of authority structures within many denominations, most Protestant groups re-envisioned the role of the ordained priesthood. Many did away with it altogether. Others altered it in fundamental ways, often favoring a rabbinical-type married minister of teaching (word) and discarding any notion of a sacrificial priesthood. A common epithet used by Protestants (especially Anglicans) against Catholics

5445-545: The Sōtō school developed the practice of ordaining laypeople after death, thus allowing monastic funeral rites to be used for them as well. The Buddhist ordination tradition of the New Kadampa Tradition -International Kadampa Buddhist Union (NKT-IKBU) is not the traditional Buddhist ordination, but rather one newly created by Kelsang Gyatso . Although those ordained within this organisation are called 'monks' and 'nuns' within

5544-659: The Tibetan tradition, and donated €50,000 for further research. The "1st International Congress on Buddhist Women's Role in the Sangha: Bhikshuni Vinaya and Ordination Lineages" was held at the University of Hamburg from 18–20 July 2007, in cooperation with the University's Asia-Africa Institute. Although the general tenor was that full ordination was overdue, the Dalai Lama presented a pre-drafted statement saying that more time

5643-583: The United States of America ordains women as deacons, priests and bishops. The Lutheran Evangelical Protestant Church ordains women at all levels including deacon, priest and bishop. Other denominations leave the decision to ordain women to the regional governing body, or even to the congregation itself; these include the Christian Reformed Church in North America and the Evangelical Presbyterian Church . The ordination of women in

5742-616: The belief that all ordained clergy are ordained by bishops who were ordained by other bishops tracing back to bishops ordained by the Apostles who were ordained by Christ , the great High Priest ( Hebrews 7:26 , Hebrews 8:2 ), who conferred his priesthood upon his Apostles ( John 20:21–23 , Matthew 28:19–20 , Mark 16:15–18 , and Acts 2:33 ). There are three ordinations in Holy Orders: deacon , presbyter , and bishop . Both bishops and presbyters are priests and have authority to celebrate

5841-424: The bishop does officially approve and appoint deacons to their selected ministry. Deacons may assist the elder in the administration of Sacraments, but must receive special approval from a bishop before presiding over Baptism and holy communion. United Methodist deacons are present in North America, Europe and Africa. The Methodist Church of Great Britain also has a permanent diaconate—based on an understanding of

5940-668: The bishops of their diocese. They have a distinctive role in the liturgy of the Eastern and Western Churches. Deacons are also appointed or elected in other denominations, though this is less commonly seen as a step towards the clerical ministry. The role of deacon in these denominations varies greatly from denomination to denomination; often, there will be more emphasis on administrative duties than on pastoral or liturgical duties. In some denominations, deacons' duties are only financial management and practical aid and relief. Elders handle pastoral and other administrative duties. Beginning around

6039-410: The celebration of marriages, as in Eastern theology the sacrament is conferred by the nuptial blessing of a priest. Diaconal vestments are the sticharion (alb, although it has come to resemble the western dalmatic), the orarion (deacon's stole), and the epimanikia (cuffs). The last are worn under the sticharion, not over it as does a priest or bishop. The deacon usually wears a simple orarion which

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6138-528: The claim of a precedent based on Deborah's example because she is not specifically described as ruling over Israel, rather giving judgments on contentious issues in private, not teaching publicly, neither did she lead the military. Her message to her fellow judge Barak in fact affirmed the male leadership of Israel. The United Church of Canada has ordained women since 1932. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America ordains women as pastors, and women are eligible for election as bishops. The Episcopal Church in

6237-464: The congregation as its principal minister/pastor. The ordination of women is often a controversial issue in religions where either the office of ordination, or the role that an ordained person fulfills, is traditionally restricted to men, for various theological reasons. The Christian priesthood has traditionally been reserved to men. Some claim that women were ordained deacons in the first millennium of Christianity, but their claims are disputed. After

6336-595: The core teachings of Buddhism and against the teachings of Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Gelugpa school from which Kelsang Gyatso was expelled As Unitarian Universalism features very few doctrinal thresholds for prospective congregation members, ordinations of UU ministers are considerably less focused upon doctrinal adherence than upon factors such as possessing a Masters of Divinity degree from an accredited higher institution of education and an ability to articulate an understanding of ethics, spirituality and humanity. In

6435-677: The daily services. In the church hierarchy, a hieromonk is of higher dignity than a hierodeacon, just as a secular (i.e., married) priest is of higher dignity than a deacon. Within their own ranks, hieromonks are assigned order of precedence according to the date of their ordination. Ranking above a hieromonk are a hegumen and an archimandrite . The proper title for a hieromonk is, "the Reverend Hieromonk ( religious name )". The form of address is, "Hieromonk ( name )", "Father Hieromonk ( name )", "Father ( name )", or, informally, "Father". As with all Eastern Catholic and Orthodox monks,

6534-558: The deacon is not permitted to perform any sacred mysteries (sacraments) on their own, except for Baptism in extremis (in danger of death), conditions under which anyone, including the laity, may baptize. When assisting at a normal baptism, it is often the deacon who goes down into the water with the one being baptized ( Acts 8:38 ). In contrast to the Roman Catholic Church , deacons in the Eastern Churches may not preside at

6633-409: The deacons' role was indeed to help, their assistance involved more liturgical, teaching and leadership functions than purely charitable work. The Greek word diakónissa ( διακόνισσα ), meaning deaconess, is not found in the Bible. However, one woman, Phoebe , is mentioned at Romans 16:1–2 as a deacon or deaconess ( διάκονος , diákonos ) of the church in Cenchreae . Nothing more specific

6732-433: The diaconate as an order of ministry . Permanent deacons are deacons who are not transitioning into the priesthood , in contrast to those continuing their formation , who were then called transitional deacons . The word deacon is derived from the Greek word diákonos ( διάκονος ), which is a standard ancient Greek word meaning "servant", "waiter", "minister", or "messenger". Recent research has highlighted

6831-431: The diaconate as well. This practice is rooted in the holy eucharist and is in acknowledgement and respect of the eucharistic role members of the clergy play in preparing, handling and disbursing the sacrament during the Divine Liturgy, and in building and serving the church as the Body of Christ. In the Lutheran Churches of the Scandinavian tradition, there is a threefold ministry of "bishops, priests, and deacons". Until

6930-430: The diaconate. The effect of this was the creation of a large and overwhelmingly female diaconate for a time, as most men proceeded to be ordained priests after a short time as a deacon. Anglican deacons may baptize and in some dioceses are granted licences to solemnize matrimony , usually under the instruction of their parish priest and bishop. Deacons are not able to preside at the eucharist (but can lead worship with

7029-401: The distribution of already-consecrated communion elements where this is permitted), nor can they pronounce God's absolution of sin or pronounce the Trinitarian blessing. In most cases, deacons minister alongside other clergy. An Anglican deacon wears an identical choir dress to an Anglican priest: cassock , surplice , tippet and academic hood . However, liturgically, deacons usually wear

7128-486: The faith; is a sign of merciful kindness in the parish and society at large, and in all things serves Christ in the neighbour". In Anglican churches, such as the Church of England and the Free Church of England , deacons are permitted to marry freely before or after ordination, as are Anglican priests. Most deacons are "transitional deacons", that is, preparing for the priesthood and they are usually ordained priests about

7227-572: The fifth century, there was a gradual decline in the diaconate as a permanent state of life in the Latin Church . The development of a cursus honorum (sequence of offices) found men entering the clerical state through tonsure , then ordination to the minor orders of lector, porter, exorcist, acolyte before ordination to the major orders of sub-deacon and deacon, all stages on the path to priesthood. Only men destined for priesthood were permitted to be ordained deacons. As seminaries developed, following

7326-468: The financial and property requirements of the congregation, and attending to the mercy ministry of the local church. Both elders and deacons have to subscribe to the Westminster Confession of Faith before being ordained to the office. One of John Calvin 's legacies was to restore the diaconate as a servant ministry. Individual congregations of the various Presbyterian denominations, such as

7425-727: The fringes of the church and be involved in ministry in the community. Deacons offer leadership in a ministry of service to the world. The primary focus of the ministry of deacons is on care and compassion for the poor and oppressed and in seeking social justice for all people. They take both an active role in leadership in such actions themselves, but are also play a key role in encouraging other Uniting Church members in similar action. Some examples of service that deacons may take include: prison chaplaincy, acting as youth or community workers, in community service agencies, in schools and hospitals, or in mission placements in Australia or overseas. Although

7524-467: The growing call for the ordination of women, Pope John Paul II issued the statement Ordinatio sacerdotalis in 1995. In it, he gave reasons why women cannot be ordained, and defined that the Holy Spirit had not conferred the power to ordain women upon the Church. In the wake of this definitive statement, many theologians considered the issue settled, but many continue to push for the ordination of women in

7623-685: The late 20th century, and more so in the early 21st century, several mainline denominational sects of Christianity and Judaism in the US and Europe endorsed the ordination of openly LGBT persons. See LGBT clergy in Christianity . The United Church of Christ ordained openly gay Bill Johnson in 1972, and lesbian Anne Holmes in 1977. While Buddhist ordinations of openly LGBT monks have occurred, more notable ordinations of openly LGBT novitiates have taken place in Western Buddhism. Deacon A deacon

7722-491: The latter half of the 20th century was an important issue between Anglicans and Catholics since the Catholic Church viewed the ordination of women as a huge obstacle to possible rapprochement between the two churches. The Catholic Church has not changed its view or practice on the ordination or women, and neither have any of the Orthodox churches; these churches represent approximately 65% of all Christians worldwide. In response to

7821-525: The lineage of fully ordained nuns was not brought to Tibet by the Indian Vinaya masters, hence there is no rite for the ordination of full nuns. However th 14th Dalai Lama has endeavored for many years to improve this situation. In 2005, he asked fully ordained nuns in the Dharmaguptaka lineage, especially Jampa Tsedroen , to form a committee to work for the acceptance of the bhiksuni lineage within

7920-660: The local church council. A special feature of the Dutch Reformed churches is the fact that the diaconate of each local church is its own legal entity with its own financial means, separated from the church itself, and governed by the deacons. In the Uniting Church in Australia , the diaconate is one of two offices of ordained ministry. The other is Minister of the Word. Deacons in the Uniting Church are called to minister to those on

8019-719: The mandate (approval) of the Pope , as the guarantor of the Church's unity. Moreover, at least three bishops are to perform the consecration, although the Apostolic See may dispense from this requirement in extraordinary circumstances (for example, in missionary settings or times of persecution). In the Catholic Church, those deacons destined to be ordained priests are often termed transitional deacons ; those deacons who are married before being ordained, as well as any unmarried deacons who chose not to be ordained priests, are called permanent deacons . Those married deacons who become widowers have

8118-457: The organisation, and wear the robes of traditional Tibetan monks and nuns, in terms of traditional Buddhism they are neither fully ordained monks and nuns (Skt.: bhikshu , bhikshuni ; Tib.: gelong, gelongma) nor are they novice monks and nuns (Skt.: sramanera, srameneri; Tib.: gestul, getsulma). Unlike most other Buddhist traditions, including all Tibetan Buddhist schools, which follow the Vinaya,

8217-480: The permanent diaconate varies from diocese to diocese as determined by the local ordinary, but it usually entails a period of prayerful preparation and several years of study. Diaconal candidates receive instruction in philosophy , theology , study of the Bible , homiletics , sacramental studies, evangelization , ecclesiology , counseling, and pastoral care and ministry before ordination. They may be assigned to work in

8316-691: The possibility of seeking ordination to the priesthood in exceptional cases. While some Eastern churches have in the past recognized Anglican ordinations as valid, the current Anglican practice, in many provinces, of ordaining women to the priesthood —and, in some cases, to the episcopate—has caused the Orthodox generally to question earlier declarations of validity and hopes for union. The Catholic Church has never recognized Anglican orders as valid. Anglicanism recognizes Catholic and Orthodox ordinations; hence, clergy converting to Anglicanism are not "re-ordained". With respect to Lutheranism , "the Catholic Church has never officially expressed its judgement on

8415-503: The reception of the body at a service in the funeral home, and may assist the priest at the requiem Mass. They can also preside over various services such as Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament , and they may give certain blessings. While in ancient history their tasks and competencies varied, today deacons cannot hear confession and give absolution, anoint the sick, or celebrate Mass. The vestments most particularly associated with

8514-520: The religion permits any baptized adult male in good standing to officiate at a baptism, wedding, or funeral. In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , a rite of ordination is performed to bestow either the Aaronic or Melchizedek priesthood (Hebrews 5:4–6) upon a worthy male member. As in the Anglican, Catholic and Orthodox traditions, great care is taken to assure that the candidate for priesthood

8613-508: The role of the deacon "as a co-operator" and "go-between," emphasizing their intermediary position in early Christian communities. It is generally assumed that the office of deacon originated in the selection of seven men by the apostles, among them Stephen , to assist with the charitable work of the early church as recorded in Acts of the Apostles chapter 6. Newer research emphasizes that while

8712-517: The sacraments ( Baptism and Holy Communion ), and to be installed as a called pastor of a congregation or parish. Some Protestant traditions have additional offices of ministry to which persons can be ordained. For instance: For most Protestant denominations that have an office of bishop , including certain Lutheran and many Methodist churches, this is not viewed as a separate ordination or order of ministry. Rather, bishops are ordained ministers of

8811-550: The same order as other pastors, simply having been "consecrated" or installed into the "office" (that is, the role) of bishop. However, some Lutheran churches also claim valid apostolic succession . Some Protestant churches – especially Pentecostal ones – have an informal tier of ministers. Those who graduate from a bible college or take a year of prescribed courses are licensed ministers. Licensed ministers are addressed as "Minister" and ordained ministers as "Reverend." They, and also Evangelical pastors, are generally ordained at

8910-577: The saying "nine rabbis do not constitute a minyan, but ten cobblers can". ) Recently, in some denominations , semikhah , or semicha lehazzanut , may refer to the ordination of a hazzan (cantor); while others use the term "investiture" to describe the conferral of cantorial authority. The tradition of the ordained monastic community ( sangha ) began with the Buddha , who established orders of monks and later of nuns . The procedure of ordination in Buddhism

9009-534: The second canon thereof states, "Let a presbyter, deacon, and the rest of the clergy, be ordained by one bishop"; the latter canons, whatever their origin, were imposed on the universal church by the Seventh Ecumenical Council , the Second Council of Nicaea , in its first canon. Only a person ordained to the priesthood may administer certain sacraments (most especially, hear confessions , anointing

9108-517: The sense of "lean on", and hence "to be authorized". While the Hebrew word semikhah is rendered as "ordination" in English, a rabbi is not a priest per se , but primarily functions as a legal scholar and teacher of Torah ; and in fact, for many religious purposes the presence of a rabbi is not necessary. (For example, at prayer, a minyan (quorum) of ten lay-people is both necessary and sufficient; thus

9207-521: The sick – unction – or celebrating any Mass – the Eucharist). The Catholic Church teaches that one bishop is sufficient to consecrate a new bishop validly (that is, for an episcopal ordination actually to take place). In most Christian denominations that retain the practice of ordination, only an already ordained (consecrated) bishop or the equivalent may ordain bishops, priests, and deacons. However, Canon Law requires that bishops always be consecrated with

9306-479: The two other orders, bishops and priests, pray the Liturgy of the Hours ; however, deacons are usually only required to pray morning and evening prayer. In addition to proclaiming the Gospel and assisting in the distribution of holy communion , the deacon censes the icons and people, calls the people to prayer, leads the litanies , and has a role in the dialogue of the anaphora . In keeping with Eastern tradition,

9405-680: The validity of orders as they have been handed down by episcopal succession in these two national Lutheran churches" (the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Sweden and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland ) though it does "question how the ecclesiastical break in the 16th century has affected the apostolicity of the churches of the Reformation and thus the apostolicity of their ministry". Some Eastern Orthodox churches recognize Catholic ordinations while others "re-ordain" Catholic clergy (as well as Anglicans) who convert. However, both

9504-406: The world typically wear white (or gray, blue or some other color) cassocks and rasons. In Western Christianity, a priest who is also a monk is termed a "religious priest" or " regular clergy ", i.e., living under a monastic rule (Latin: regula ). Ordination Ordination is the process by which individuals are consecrated , that is, set apart and elevated from the laity class to

9603-805: Was finished in 827 CE at Enryaku-ji temple on Mount Hiei , and was the first in Japan. Prior to this, those wishing to become monks/nuns were ordained using the Hinayana precepts, whereas after the Mahayana ordination platform, people were ordained with the Bodhisattva precepts as listed in the Brahma Net Sutra . Pabbajja is an ordination procedure for novice Buddhist monks in the Theravada tradition. The legitimacy of fully ordained nuns ( bhikkhuni/bhiksuni ) has become

9702-412: Was required to reach a decision, thus nullifying the intentions of the congress. In Medieval Sōtō Zen , a tradition of posthumous ordination was developed to give the laity access to Zen funeral rites . Chinese Ch’an monastic codes, from which Japanese Sōtō practices were derived, contain only monastic funeral rites; there were no provisions made for funerals for lay believers. To solve this problem,

9801-403: Was that Catholics were a 'priest-ridden' people. Hatred for priests was a common element of anti-Catholicism and pogroms against Catholics focused on expelling, killing, or forcefully 'laicizing' priests. Beginning in the twentieth century, many Protestant denominations began re-evaluating the roles of women in their churches. Many now ordain women. According to the biblical book of Judges ,

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