ordains
Confers holy authority
Ordains means to officially decree or establish something by authority: The law ordains that all citizens must register.
In religious contexts, to ordain is to confer holy orders upon someone, making them a priest, minister, or rabbi: She was ordained last spring.
The word carries a sense of formal, often divine or institutional, sanction—what is ordained feels decreed from above rather than merely decided.
Authoritative public commands
- mandatesAuthoritative commands or requirements
- proclamationsFormal public announcements
- directivesFormal commands or instructions
- commandsAuthoritative orders given
dictates · orders · pronouncements · fiats · enactments · statutes · injunctions · rulings
Predetermined course of events
- predestinationDivinely predetermined fate
- providenceDivine protective care
- foreordainsDecides destiny beforehand
- divine willGod's sovereign intention
cosmic · karma · kismet · preordains · destines · appoints · predetermined · lot
edicts
Authoritative public commands
- mandatesAuthoritative commands or requirements
- proclamationsFormal public announcements
- directivesFormal commands or instructions
commands · dictates · orders · pronouncements · fiats · enactments · statutes · injunctions · rulings · decrees
fate
Predetermined course of events
- predestinationDivinely predetermined fate
- providenceDivine protective care
- foreordainsDecides destiny beforehand
divine will · cosmic · karma · kismet · preordains · destines · appoints · predetermined · lot · fortune
priesthood
Ordained religious office
- consecrationDedicating to sacred purpose
- clergyOrdained religious officials collectively
- bishopDiocesan clergy head
deacon · minister · pastor · seminary · vocation · holy orders · theology · liturgy · reverend · monsignor
officiant
Ceremony presider
nuptials · wedding · rites · presides · blessing · solemnizes · pronounces · union · sacrament · celebrant
- ordained ministerSanctioned religious authority figure
- ordained ministryAuthorized religious leadership role