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'''Holy Orders''' refers to the sacrament of the [[Catholic Church|Catholic]] and [[Orthodox Church]]es that sets aside ("ordains") chosen men to lead the church and to celebrate the sacraments. There are three levels of Holy Orders: [[Bishop]], Presbyter, and [[Deacon]].  

'''Holy Orders''' refers to the ceremony in the [[Catholic Church|Catholic]], [[Anglican]], and [[Orthodox Church]]es that sets aside ("ordains") persons to lead the church and to celebrate the sacraments. There are three levels of Holy Orders: [[Bishop]], Presbyter, and [[Deacon]]. In the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches, Holy Orders itself is considered to be a sacrament. In those churches, only males are ordained.

A Deacon is ordained to preach and minister, both in the Liturgy and outside. In the United States, for example, the Catholic [[Bishop]]s have designated Social Justice issues as particularly appropriate for deacons, as they are a link between the clerical and lay states. A Catholic Deacon, with proper permission, can minister [[baptism]]s, lead [[Communion]] services or assist the [[priest]] at [[Eucharist]], and preside at [[wedding]]s.

A Deacon is ordained to preach and minister, both in the Liturgy and otherwise. In the United States, for example, the Catholic [[Bishop]]s have designated Social Justice issues as particularly appropriate for deacons, as they are a link between the clerical and lay states. A Catholic Deacon, with proper permission, can baptize, lead [[Communion]] services or assist the [[priest]] at the [[Eucharist]], and preside at [[wedding]]s.

A [[Presbyter]] is ordained from among the deacons to minister almost all the [[sacrament]]s. Thus, besides the deacon's ministries mentioned above, a presbyter can preside at the Eucharist, minister [[Reconciliation]] and give [[absolution]] (assurance of forgiveness of [[sin]]s), and [[Anoint]] the Sick. Under certain circumstances, he can also Confirm members of the Church. Presbyters are often called "Priests," but (technically speaking) this term refers to both Presbyters and Bishops, since both are allowed to "take the place of [[Christ]]," the High Priest, at the Eucharist.

A [[Presbyter]] is ordained from among the deacons to administer almost all the [[sacrament]]s. Thus, besides the deacon's ministries mentioned above, a Roman Catholic [[priest]] (presbyter) can preside at the Eucharist, administer [[Reconciliation]] and give [[absolution]] (assurance of forgiveness of [[sin]]s), and [[Anoint]] the Sick. Under certain circumstances, he can also Confirm members of the Church. Presbyters are usually called "Priests," but (technically speaking) this term refers to both Presbyters and Bishops. In the Catholic Church, both are believed to "take the place of [[Christ]]," the High Priest, at the Eucharist. In the Anglican churches, the word "priest" is retained for historical reasons even though the officiant at Communion is not believed to stand in the place of Christ or to "re-present" Christ's sacrifice on the Cross during the Eucharist.

A Bishop has the fullness of orders. Ordained from among the Priests, the bishop can minister any of the sacraments. A bishop is usually assigned to a [[diocese]], a local church, to care for the people living there.

A Bishop has the fullness of orders. Ordained from among the Priests ([[Monk]]s in the case of Orthodoxy), the bishop can administer any of the sacraments. A bishop is usually assigned to a [[diocese]], and sometimes also to a local church, to care for the people living there.

[[category:Catholic Church]]

[[category:Catholic Church]]