599
edits
Changes
m
no edit summary
{{spirituality}}
The '''consecration of a bishop''' is the process during which a candidate for the episcopate receives the fullness of the grace of the [[priest]]hood through the Sacred Mystery of ordination by the laying of hands (in the Greek: χειροτονία, ''Cheirotonia'') in succession from the Holy Apostles. The office of [[bishop]] is the highest clerical rank in the Orthodox Church. While some bishops may receive titles such as [[Patriarch]], [[Metropolitan]], or [[Archbishop]], all bishops are equal and the titles are administrative ranks and marks of dignity and honor. At his consecration, a bishop receives grace not only to perform the Sacred Mysteries but also to bestow the grace of [[ordination]] on others.
The Scriptural foundation for Cheirotonia is found in the [[Acts of the Apostle]] (Acts 1:15-26; Acts 6:2-6) and the [[Epistles to Timothy]] (1 Timothy 4:14; 2 Timothy 1:6). The procedure leading to the consecration of a new bishop involves two stages: first, the selection of the candidate, usually referred to as the election, and second, the consecration ritual of Cheirotonia during a divine liturgy.
