16,951
edits
Changes
m
link
The election process may be one of a number of different techniques depending on the traditions and rules of a [[diocese]] or local church, such as through a council of the diocese or local church, a committee of bishops of a local church (i.e., a Synod of Bishops), or by appointment by the senior bishop of the local church. While any male believer is eligible to be a candidate for election, the candidate before consecration must be unmarried and a [[monk]]. Thus, the wife of a married candidate must take [[monasticism|monastic]] vows and become a [[nun]]. The candidate, if not a monk, must take monastic vows and become a monk. If not a [[priest]], he must receive ordination as a [[deacon]], if not already a deacon, then as a priest. The person elected to the episcopate must voluntarily accept his nomination before the consecration can proceed.
Because the Acts of the Apostles describes the ''Cheirotonia'' being accomplished with prayer, the Consecration is always performed within a [[Divine Liturgy]]. Normally, this on a Sunday or [[Feast dat|Feast Day]] which has an [[All-Night Vigil]]. During the Vigil (or before the beginning of the Divine Liturgy), the bishop-elect must make a formal and public Profession of Faith to ensure the Orthodoxy of his belief. During the Divine Liturgy, after the Trisagion the bishop-elect kneels before the Holy Table, touching his forehead to it while the [[Gospel]] Book is opened and laid, with the writing down, upon his neck. All of the consecrating bishops place their hands on the Gospel and say the Prayer of Consecration, during which the Holy Spirit descends upon the new bishop and imparts the grace of the episcopate upon him. The bishop is then clothed in the vestments of a bishop and presented to the people. The ancient participation of the laity in the consecration of bishops is retained in their triple acclamation of Axios ("He is worthy") at the time the [[Omophorion]] is placed on the new bishop's shoulders.
According to the Canon I of the Apostolic Canons, the consecration of a bishop must be accomplished by three or more bishops. Under unusual circumstances a consecration may be conducted by two, and occasionally by one bishop as a serous exception.
