Clergy

Clergy in the Early Church

The term clergy or cleric(s) refers to a person, persons, or estate in ordained ministry. Within Christianity, this office was historically reserved to men. It is often contrasted with non-clerical members of the church called laity.

Ranks of Holy Order

The mark of holy ministry is traditionally viewed as a single order, differentiated by three degrees. The deacon is the first and most inferior office, the priest is the second office, and the bishop is the highest office by rank and jurisdiction.