To become an Orthodox church priest, you need to earn a bachelor’s degree. Ideally, you should major in a field related to your future work as an Orthodox clergyman, such as religion, philosophy, history or communications.
During your undergraduate education, you’ll also need to take classes in church history and theology. These classes will help you develop a deep understanding of your faith and prepare you to serve as a priest.
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Orthodox Christianity
The Orthodox Church is the oldest and second largest Christian body in the world. It traces its roots to the original apostles through an unbroken chain of apostolic succession.
It is based on the Bible and is considered to be the true Church of Jesus Christ. It affirms the Trinity, the Bible as the Word of God, the incarnation of Christ, and many other biblical doctrines.
In Orthodoxy, salvation is understood as theosis – becoming more and more like Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. It is a process that will last for all eternity.
To become Orthodox, a person must be baptized into the Orthodox faith and receive chrismation. It is important to note that, unless they have received baptism in an Orthodox church, these mysteries cannot be administered to non-Orthodox Christians (Matt. 7:6).
Church Awards for Clergy
In the Russian Orthodox Church, there are many different awards that clergy are given for their service to the Church. These awards are intended to recognize the clergyman’s skill and hard work in their ministry.
For example, a priest may receive an award to recognize his dedication to working with children and youth in the Church. This can be a very important role and it is crucial for the Church to support this area.
This is why many dioceses and bishops will give these awards to those who have dedicated their time and energy to this area of ministry. The award is also an opportunity for the recipient to receive recognition from their peers and bishops in the Church.
This is a unique way to honor clergy for their service in the Church and is a great addition to the other church awards. The awards are a way to acknowledge the clergyman’s contribution to the Church and it is something that can bring a lot of pride and respect for the clergyperson.
Defrocking a Clergyman
Defrocking is a process by which a clergyman’s rights to exercise the functions of his ordained ministry are removed. This may be due to criminal convictions, disciplinary problems, or disagreements over doctrine or dogma.
The process is not only a form of punishment, it is also used to promote moral responsibility among clergymen. Unlike laymen, clergy cannot be restored to their previous status.
Canon law imposes the penalty of degradation on clergy who commit crimes against their Church or violate canons. In addition, a cleric’s right to hold a position of trust and to perform the rites of his church is revoked.
This procedure is not always carried out in a formal manner. Sometimes a clergyman voluntarily chooses to be defrocked.
Archimandrite Alexander Elchaninov
Russian Orthodox church priest Archimandrite Alexander Elchaninov, who was ordained a bit late in life, wrote a book of reflections on the human experience. His work grapples with themes of universal concern, including sin and nervous disease, marriage and art, facing illness and death.
His book also has a number of edifying and informative quotations from the Bible and other sources. In particular, he points to the importance of faith and works in obtaining salvation.
In Orthodoxy, the church is not only a place but also a living reality. Its laws are not just a set of rules but an innate way of life; a way of life that is a true manifestation of the virtuous man.
Unlike Roman Catholicism, in which the centralized authority of a pope over the heads of bishops can create a jurisdictional chaos that disturbs many, in Orthodoxy the indissoluble unity of the Church is emphasized above all other things. This is one of the main reasons why many people choose to be Orthodox.
