The Apostles on the day of Pentecost, when the Church was established, were entrusted with the responsibility of continuing the saving work of Christ for future generations. The Sacrament of Holy Orders or Ordination has been handed down for the time of he Apostles to the present day, an unbroken chain if apostolic succession to the clergy of the Orthodox Church. Through this successions the Bishops, Priests and Deacons of the Orthodox Church are direct decedents of the Apostles.

Ordination is a divinely instituted Sacrament by which the Holy Spirit comes down upon the candidate. Bishops, the modern day Apostles and chief administrators of the Church, preform ordinations through the laying on of hands.

The Sacrament of Ordination does not solely appoint the cadidate to the certain office in the Church, but through the action of the Holy Spirit he receives the indwelling of divine power that sanctities him and leads him toward a life of virtuous service. This Sacrament, according to Apostolic Tradition, transforms laymen into a cleric. Through the ordain the Church continues the authoritative and infallible teaching of Christ, the celebration of the Holt Mysteries, and the administration of the Christian community by the Holy Spirit.

Today we gather to pray that the servant of God, Christopher Stern, who is entering the first order of Priesthood, will be worthy servant of Christ and His Church.