ORDERS, by way of eminency, or Holy ORDERS, denote a character peculiar to ecclesiastics, whereby they are set apart for the ministry. See ORDINATION.
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.