taking holy orders
Entering the priesthood
Taking holy orders is the formal process of becoming an ordained member of the clergy in certain Christian traditions, particularly Catholic, Orthodox, and Anglican churches.
The phrase refers to receiving one of the sacred ranks—typically deacon, priest, or bishop—through a ceremony of ordination.
Someone who has taken holy orders is bound by the vows and responsibilities of their clerical office.
After years of seminary study, he finally took holy orders.
- answering the callActing when needed
- church hierarchyRanked religious leadership structure
- vowsSolemn binding promises
- sacred vowsReligiously binding promises
- ordinationClergy appointment ceremony
priesthood · diaconate · celibacy · vow of poverty · obedience · curate · canon law · Roman collar · bishopric · consecration · tonsure · pastorate · laying on of hands · medieval clergy · seminary training · chaplaincy · monasticism · cardinalate