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'''In persona Christi''' is a Latin phrase meaning “in the person of Christ.” It is an important concept in many Christian traditions in varying degrees. The extended phrase, ''In persona Christi capitis'', “in the person of Christ the head,” was introduced in the [[Catechism of the Catholic Church]] (CCC ''paragraphs'' 1548, 1581).
In [[Roman Catholic Church|Roman Catholicism]], and [[Orthodox Church|Orthodoxy]], the [[priest]] is [[Ordination|ordained]] to act in the person of Christ, most significantly in pronouncing the key words of a [[sacrament]]al rite; for example, the Words of Institution, in the [[Eucharist]], through which the [[Consecration|consecrated]] bread becomes, by the power of Jesus Christ the High Priest, the Body of Christ and the wine becomes His Precious Blood; in the normal form of [[Baptism]], or the [[Anointing of the Sick]]; in the anointing of the Holy Spirit in [[Confirmation]]; in the ordination of a [[deacon]], of a priest, and the consecration of a [[bishop]]. The sacramental grace of [[Holy Matrimony]] is normally ''witnessed'' by a deacon, priest or bishop, but actually initiated and given by an already baptized Christian [[Laity|lay]] couple "in Christ", a man and a woman, to each other in licit marriage, by irrevocable consent, and throughout their lives.
The priest and bishop act in the person of Christ the head in their leadership of the Church through the power of Christ the Lord conferred on them by means of the sacrament of [[Holy Orders]].
==See also==
[[Apostolic succession]]
[[Martyr]]
[[category:Christianity]]
[[category:Catholic Church]]
[[category:Orthodox Church]]
[[category:Anglican Church]]
[[category:Religion]]
[[category:Theology]]