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Mar 25th, 2025
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Does anyone know where to find a list of canonical impediments to ordination to the priesthood or diaconate in the Orthodox Church?
Joe
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I can tell you that one of them is having a tattoo. My priest saw mine and said I could never be a priest.
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I know a priest with a tattoo.
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He didn't explain why, and I didn't press the issue, but that's what he said. Maybe it applies only to Orthodox priests? 
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hmmm...I've never heard of that being an impediment. Does it matter if it is visible? I could see this being an impediment, though.... [ Linked Image] I believe one impediment has to do with whether or not your spouse is Orthodox... Gordo 
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He didn't explain why, and I didn't press the issue, but that's what he said. Maybe it applies only to Orthodox priests? The priest I know is Orthodox. I personally don't see what the big deal would be.
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I'll ask Father this Sunday. 
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This is precisely why I'm interested in seeing a list based on the actual canons of the Church, because I hear all sorts of things from people that sound strange to me. For example, this is the first time I've heard about tattoos barring someone from the clergy. I once had my ear pierced as a teenager, does that bar me?
Joe
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In the old days, for instance, one could not have married an actress...because actresses at that time engaged in sexually immorality. Canons forbid someone who has shed blood (killed) from becoming a priest, though today exceptions may have been made for soldiers. Currently, active "impediments" sometimes differ from jurisdiction to jurisdiction: Divorce (of either the candidate or his spouse) could exclude someone today in the Antiochian Archdiocese. A clean criminal record would be a definite prerequisite. If you are married, your spouse and children must be Orthodox in good standing, and your wife must support your ordination. I've never seen a priest with a pierced ear, but I'm not aware of anyone being denied for that reason lately. ----------
Western Orthodoxy Blog [westernorthodox.blogspot.com]
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In the old days, for instance, one could not have married an actress...because actresses at that time engaged in sexually immorality. Canons forbid someone who has shed blood (killed) from becoming a priest, though today exceptions may have been made for soldiers. Currently, active "impediments" sometimes differ from jurisdiction to jurisdiction: Divorce (of either the candidate or his spouse) could exclude someone today in the Antiochian Archdiocese. A clean criminal record would be a definite prerequisite. If you are married, your spouse and children must be Orthodox in good standing, and your wife must support your ordination. I've never seen a priest with a pierced ear, but I'm not aware of anyone being denied for that reason lately. ----------
Western Orthodoxy Blog [westernorthodox.blogspot.com]Okay, thanks. This is helpful. The pierced ear was from my foolish youth, so I am not too worried about it anyway. Joe
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I can tell you that one of them is having a tattoo. My priest saw mine and said I could never be a priest. Get it removed.
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I can tell you that one of them is having a tattoo. My priest saw mine and said I could never be a priest. Get it removed. Bite your tongue! I'm proud of the three bar cross on my arm! 
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Another impediment I've heard of, at least as far as Orthodoxy is concerned, is killing someone. That includes soldiers in battle.
One important source for answering questions like this one is Volume 14 of the Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series, entitled "The Seven Ecumenical Councils". It includes their canons and dogmatic decrees, as well as the canons of all the local synods that have received ecumenical acceptance. Pages 638-649 of the subject index in the back deals with Clergy in particular, referring to the rest of the book.
Last edited by Jim; 10/31/07 10:45 AM.
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I can tell you that one of them is having a tattoo. My priest saw mine and said I could never be a priest. Get it removed. Bite your tongue! I'm proud of the three bar cross on my arm! Well, if you want to be ordained, you gotta tow the line.
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