"To Exemplify Jesus' love through us"

Are You Called to be a Deacon/Priest?

Holy Orders within the Ohio Orthodox Catholic Church are founded on the valid apostolic succession of the Bishops of the Church. The Church takes the training and development of each person very seriously. We do not believe in any short cuts in training and internship (practicum, and spiritual growth). We believe in training in the Minor Holy Orders (Doorkeeper, Reader, Exorcist, Acolyte, and Subdeacon) and the Major Holy Orders (Deacon and Priest). Ordination to the Diaconate will not occur until the student has successfully completed all of their requirements (educational, practicum, and spiritual growth) and are at least the age of 24. Ordination to the Priesthood will not occur until the student has successfully completed all of their requirements (educational, practicum, and spiritual growth) and are at least the age of 25.

Our Clergy are required to fully support themselves. They receive no financial or housing support from the Church. This means one has to have his/her own place to live in and income to provide financial support. All clergy attire/vestments must be purchased by the clergy.

Basic requirements to be considered for studying for Holy Orders for Non-Clergy:

1. Must be at least 21 years old to apply.
   
   
2. Must complete and submit the application that is provided by the Chancery Office.
   
   
3. Provide 2 passport size digital photos with the application.
   
   
4. The Church does a complete in-depth background check on each applicant. The cost of the background check is paid by the applicant.
   
   
5. If the application is accepted by the Chancery Office, then the applicant is presented to the Board of Directors of the Church for their final acceptance or rejection.
   
   
6. All costs of training are paid by the student.
   
   
7. The student will have 60 days from the time of acceptance of the application to complete the "Stewards of Children" course, which is provided through the internet by the Darkness to Light Organization. A copy of the certificate will be provided to the Chancery Office at the time of completion of the course.
   
   
8. Upon completing all the requirements (educational, practicum, and spiritual growth) of the Holy Order and have received an affirmative vote of the Board of Directors, the student will be invited to be ordained to that Office. Deacons and Priests who are ordained will receive their full/permanent faculties to serve within the Ohio Orthodox Catholic Church.
   
   

Basic Requirements for Consideration for Incardination as a Deacon/Priest within the Church:

1. Must be at least 24 years old as a Deacon or 25 years old as a Priest to make application.
   
   
2. The applicant must have received ordination documents that the Chancery Office can verify.
   
   
3. Must complete and submit the application that is provided by the Chancery Office.
   
   
4. The applicant must request that a Letter of Transfer from the Church they are ministering in presently be sent to the Chancery Office of the Ohio Orthodox Catholic Church. An application cannot be accepted if this transfer letter is not received by the Chancery Office of the Ohio Orthodox Catholic Church.
   
   
5. Provide 2 passport size digital photos with the application.
   
   
6. The Church does a complete in-depth background check on each applicant. The cost of the background check is paid by the applicant.
   
   
7. If the application is accepted by the Chancery Office, then the applicant is presented to the Board of Directors of the Church for their final acceptance or rejection.
   
   
8. The applicant will have 60 days from the time of acceptance of the application to complete the "Stewards of Children" course, which is provided through the internet by the Darkness to Light Organization. A copy of the certificate will be provided to the Chancery Office at the time of completion of the course.
   
   
9. Temporary faculties of one year as clergy are provided to the applicant if he/she is accepted by the Board of Directors of the Church. At the end of the first year, the Bishops and Board of Directors of the Church will evaluate the clergy and vote on whether or not full/permanent faculties should be given.