Bible Dictionaries
Orders

Charles Buck Theological Dictionary

By way of eminency, or holy orders, denote a character peculiar to ecclesiastics, whereby they are set apart for the ministry. This the Romanists make their sixth sacrament. In no reformed church are there more than three orders, viz. bishops, priests, and deacons. In the Romish church there are seven, exclusive of the episcopate; all which the council of Trent enjoins to be received and believed on pain of anathema. They are distinguished into petty or secular orders, and major or sacred orders. Orders, the petty or minor, are four, viz. those of door-keepers, exorcist, reader, and acolyth. Sacred, or major, are deacon, priest, and bishop.

Bibliography Information
Buck, Charles. Entry for 'Orders'. Charles Buck Theological Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/​dictionaries/​eng/​cbd/​o/orders.html. 1802.