What Is Holy Orders?

What “Holy Orders” Means

Holy Orders is the sacrament by which certain Christians are ordained for official ministry in the Church. In Catholic, Orthodox, and some Anglican traditions, Holy Orders includes three main roles: **bishop**, **priest** (or presbyter), and **deacon**. The word “orders” refers to an ordered form of service in the Church—not to being “better” than other Christians.

For parents explaining this to kids, a simple definition is: **Holy Orders is when the Church prays over and appoints a person to serve God’s people in a special way.**

Christians point to the New Testament pattern of leaders being chosen, prayed over, and sent out for ministry. In Acts 6:6, the apostles prayed and laid hands on the first deacons. Paul reminds Timothy not to neglect the gift given through the laying on of hands (1 Timothy 4:14), and he gives guidance for bishops/overseers and deacons (1 Timothy 3:1-13).

Who Receives Holy Orders?

In traditions that teach Holy Orders as a sacrament, the ordained ministries are commonly described in three degrees:

• **Deacons** serve through charity, preaching, assisting in worship, and care for the needy. The first deacons in Acts 6 were chosen to help make sure widows were cared for fairly.
• **Priests** serve local communities through preaching, pastoral care, teaching, and leading the Church’s sacramental life. In Catholic language, priests are co-workers with the bishop.
• **Bishops** are shepherds and successors in the apostolic ministry, responsible for teaching, governing, and guarding the faith of the Church in a region.

Different Christian traditions use these words differently. Many Protestant churches do not call ordination a sacrament, but they still set apart pastors, elders, and deacons through prayer, examination, and laying on of hands. So if your family is Protestant, you might explain: “We may not use the phrase Holy Orders, but our church also believes leaders are called, trained, prayed over, and accountable to serve faithfully.”

What Happens During Ordination?

The central sign of Holy Orders is usually the **laying on of hands** with a prayer asking the Holy Spirit to strengthen the person for ministry. This action is deeply biblical. Moses laid hands on Joshua when he was appointed to lead (Numbers 27:18-23). The early Church laid hands on leaders before sending them into ministry (Acts 13:2-3).

Ordination services often include Scripture readings, promises or vows, prayer, and sometimes signs like vestments, anointing with oil, or the presentation of a Bible, chalice, or stole. These symbols teach that ministry is not about personal status, but about receiving a responsibility from God through the Church.

A helpful family phrase is: **ordination is not a graduation ceremony; it is a sending ceremony.** The person is being entrusted with a mission: to serve Christ by serving his people.

Why Does Holy Orders Matter?

Holy Orders reminds Christians that Jesus cares for his Church through visible shepherds and servants. Jesus is the true Good Shepherd (John 10:11), and all Christian ministry is meant to reflect his love, humility, and truth.

For children, this can make church leadership feel less mysterious. A priest, pastor, bishop, or deacon is not “closer to God” in a way that makes other people less important. Every baptized Christian is called to holiness and service. Holy Orders is a particular vocation: a calling to teach, lead, pray, and care for others in the name of Christ.

It also helps children see why we pray for church leaders. Leaders carry real burdens—preaching the gospel, comforting the grieving, visiting the sick, guiding families, making difficult decisions, and helping the community stay faithful.

How To Explain Holy Orders To Kids

Try connecting Holy Orders to ideas children already understand:

• **A team needs coaches.** The whole team matters, but coaches help guide and train the team.
• **A family needs caregivers.** Church leaders are called to help care for God’s family.
• **A mission needs people who are sent.** Ordained ministers are sent to serve in a public, accountable way.

You might say: “God calls everyone to love and serve him. Some people are called to a special church job called ordained ministry. The Church prays over them and asks the Holy Spirit to help them teach, lead, and serve like Jesus.”

Practical ways to help kids learn:

1. **Point out roles at church.** Ask, “Who read Scripture? Who preached? Who served the poor? Who prayed for the people?” 2. **Pray for leaders by name.** A short prayer works: “Jesus, help our pastor/priest/deacon love and serve your people well.” 3. **Read a calling story.** Samuel (1 Samuel 3), the apostles (Mark 3:13-19), or the deacons (Acts 6:1-6) are good family Bible readings. 4. **Emphasize service over status.** Jesus said, “Whoever would be great among you must be your servant” (Mark 10:43). That is the heart of Christian leadership.

Holy Orders, at its best, is a sign that God still calls people to give their lives in service to the Church—and that all of us, ordained or not, are invited to follow Jesus with faithfulness and love.