'''Major Orders''' in the [[Orthodox Church ]] refers to the three degrees of [[ordination|ordained]] [[clergy]]: [[bishop]], [[presbyter]], and [[deacon]]. Persons who hold these offices are charged with the celebration of the divine services and the administration of Church life. They have received the grace of the [[Holy Spirit]] to perform these jobs through the [[Holy Mysteries|mystery]] of [[Holy Orders]].

The first and highest degree of the clergy is the '''bishop ''' (''episkopos'' in Greek, which means overseer). He is the successor to the [[Apostles ]] in the service and government of the Church. A bishop is responsible for and the head of all the parishes [[parish]]es located in his [[diocese]]. All authority of the lower orders of clergy is derived from the bishop.

The second degree of the clergy is the '''presbyter''', or priest. The presbyter governs a particular [[parish]] by the authority and with the blessing of his bishop. The presbyter blesses all of the divine services conducted in his parish and is authorized to celebrate all of the mysteries ([[mysteriessacraments]] (sacraments) of the Church, with the exception of [[ordination]], which is reserved to the bishop. The priest supervises all persons holding any office in his parish, including a deacon.

The third and lowest degree of the major orders of clergy belongs to the '''deacons'''. The word ''deacon'' means ''server'' and originally it referred to a person who waited on tables. The deacon ministers to the priest and bishop in the Divine Services and assists in the celebration of the mysteries of the Church. A deacon may not, however, celebrate the mysteries by himself. ==See also==*[[Holy Orders]]*[[Minor orders]]{{Clergy/wide}}