The Holy Mysteries - Ordination

The Holy Mysteries - Ordination. The Greek word for ordination is cheirotonia, the laying on of hands, and while this happens for all clerical ranks, readers and subdeacons are tonsured into their offices in the nave of the church, whereas deacons, priests, and bishops are ordained in the altar (and technically the already ordained bishops are consecrated). From an Orthodox perspective the process of ordination begins with the congregation who calls the ordinand from among their number to serve in the Church, and the process is completed by the bishop who acts in the name of the Church. Because the newly tonsured/ ordained is selected from the people they’ll serve, as they are vested with each of their new vestments, the bishop holds the piece of vesture aloft and proclaims, “Axios!” (he is worthy); to which the present congregation repeat it. This is also done for deacons, priests, and bishops who are given clerical awards for years of service.