Library › Metropolitan Platon of Moscow › Orthodox Doctrine (Summary of Christian Divinity)
Orthodox Doctrine (Summary of Christian Divinity)
Metropolitan Platon of Moscow, tr. Pinkerton, 1814
36. Part 2, Section 36: Of Ordination
Ordination is a mystery in which the Holy Ghost, by the laying on of the hands of his servants, consecrateth the worthy person chosen, to dispense the ordinances, and feed the flock of Christ.
Formerly it was observed, that in the church, as in a properly regulated society, there exists an ecclesiastical government. The collective body of those who feed the flock of Christ, are the spiritual rulers, and through this body the Lord himself makes choice of others who are worthy.
The pastoral office necessarily requires, that he who is chosen to this great charge should be, 1st, Of an unblameable character. 2d, Apt to teach: For, according to the prescription of Paul, a pastor ought to be “an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” And he is commanded, “to preach the word; to be instant in season and out of season; to reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all long suffering and doctrine.” 1 Tim. iv. 12. and 2 Tim. iv. 2.
After being chosen according to this rule, the candidates are ordained to be ministers through the superior pastors of the church, such as the bishops; and the bishops are ordained through other bishops. This ordination is performed through the invocation of the Holy Ghost, and the laying on of hands in the midst of the assembled church, who confirm the choice made, by exclaiming, “He is worthy!”1
This manner of ordination, through the laying on of hands, had its beginning with the apostles themselves, from whom, by an uninterrupted succession, it has descended to us. Thus it is written concerning it in the Acts of the Apostles, xiv. 23. “And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.”2
Of the duty of pastors, we have already spoken under Section xxix. of this Part. And from the considerations just stated, it follows: First, that those who are not ordained by the laying on of hands, can neither dispense the ordinances, nor teach in the church. Secondly, That to the pastors of the church, and particularly to those who labour in word and in doctrine, every Christian ought to shew all due respect, so that they may perform this duty with joy, and not with grief. Heb. xiii. 17.3
Notes
- This ceremony, which is used at the ordination of the secular clergy, as Dr King observes, is probably of very high antiquity; as it seems to derive its origin from the ancient manner of electing to these offices, by suffrage of the people; who signified their approbation by, saying Αξιος; or their disapprobation, by saying Αναξιος, he is unworthy.
- Slavonian. “And having laid their hands on the presbyters of all the churches, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, in whom they believed.”
- The prayers and numerous ceremonies attending the ordination of the different orders of Russian priests, may be seen at large in Dr King’s translation of them.