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'''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 [[parishesparish]] 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]] ([[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.