The concept of Holy order in Christianity
Holy order is a significant concept within Eastern Orthodoxy, Catholicism, and Early Christianity, referring to the divinely sanctioned structure and responsibilities associated with the clergy. In Eastern Orthodoxy, it includes heavenly beings and sacred communities. In the Catholic Church, it denotes a sacrament that ordains clergy and entails specific duties, with implications for marriage and religious commitment. Early Christianity emphasizes the importance of proper ordination and the defined ranks within the clergy, particularly presbyters, deacons, and sub-deacons. Overall, Holy order highlights the sacred nature of religious roles within the church.
Synonyms: Religious order, Ecclesiastical order, Monastic order, Clerical order, Sacred order, Monastic community, Religious community, Brotherhood, Sisterhood, Congregation, Cloister
In Dutch: Heilige orde; In Finnish: Pyh盲 j盲rjestys; In Spanish: Orden sagrada; In German: Heiliger Orden; In Malay: Perintah suci; In Swedish: Helig ordning; In French: Ordre sacr茅
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Christian concept of 'Holy order'
From: Summa Theologica (English translation)
(1) This refers to a specific degree within the ministry, where clerics, if poor, are provided for by the bishop who ordained them, if they have no means of livelihood.[1] (2) Holy Orders represents a religious state, and apostasy can happen through withdrawal from the Holy Order, meaning abandoning the religious status previously held.[2] (3) This is one of the impediments to marriage, according to the text. It prevents a person from marrying because of their commitment to religious duties.[3] (4) These are positions of eminence within the Church, and the text compares the process of ascending to these orders with the entry into religion, suggesting that one must be prepared and seasoned before taking on the responsibilities.[4] (5) A classification of clergy or religious individuals that involves the performance of sacred duties and the handling of sacred vessels.[5]
From: The Little Flowers of St. Francis
(1) The holy Order was where Friar Bernard was chosen to provide an evangelical example and follow Christ in poverty, and also where he offered himself as a sacrifice.[6]
From: Ante-nicene Fathers
(1) Holy orders is a term referring to the clergy, who were allowed to retain their place among the clergy even after they had been twice or thrice married.[7] (2) Holy Orders are defined as only three: presbyters, deacons, and sub-deacons, as the Council of Trent made it dogma, according to the text.[8] (3) A term referencing the proper ordination of bishops, signifying their sacred role, contrasted with the view of a mere ecclesiastical office.[9] (4) The structured ranks of divine intelligences that were established by God's incarnation.[10]
From: The Works of Dionysius the Areopagite
(1) These are the Heavenly Beings who share in the supremely Divine participation, in a higher degree than things which merely exist, or which lead an irrational life, or which are rational like ourselves, and who look supermundanely to the supremely Divine likeness.[11] (2) A purely sacred structure or community recognized for its divine mission and spiritual governance.[12]