Canon Law – The Clergy
First: The Meaning of the Clergy and Its Biblical Roots
The term clergy means “the portion of the Lord.” It began in the Old Testament with the firstborn and later the tribe of Levi, when priesthood was initially familial and the head of the household served as its priest.
Second: The Clergy in the New Testament
Priesthood became no longer hereditary or restricted to a specific tribe, but based on calling and worthiness, with the consent of the people and the ordination by the bishop, establishing a balance between popular choice and priestly authority.
Third: The Laying on of Hands (Cheirotonia)
The laying on of hands is the essential sign of ordination for bishops, priests, and deacons, distinguished by a specific proclamation, and is different from the laying on of hands for blessing or healing.
Fourth: The Ranks of the Priesthood
The episcopacy is the highest rank of the priesthood, including bishop, metropolitan, patriarch, and pope, sharing one priestly rank with different pastoral responsibilities.
Fifth: Conditions for the Clergy
Among the most important conditions are full dedication to service, refraining from worldly occupations, and not being newly converted, since the priest is responsible for his own salvation and that of others.
Sixth: Physical Disabilities
In the New Testament, the Church does not prevent a person with a physical disability from priesthood unless it hinders service, because true defilement is of the soul, not the body.
Seventh: Marriage and the Priesthood
Canon law places strict regulations on the marriages of clergy, whether before or after ordination, in order to preserve the sanctity of the priesthood and the witness before the people, especially in the episcopal rank.
Eighth: Discipline and Canonical Penalties
Ancient Church canons were very strict in discipline, aiming to safeguard the priesthood, while emphasizing that their application requires pastoral wisdom and ecclesiastical councils, not individual judgment.
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