§ d-i. OKDINATIOif. 4S9
in the Latin cliurcli after the time of Jerome (as now ii. the Anglican) this fimction, ]ijke the power of ordination, was considered a prerogative of the bishops, who made periodical tours in their dioceses to confirm the baptized. Thus the two acta were often far apart in time.
§ 94. Ordination.
J. MoRiNUS (E. 0.): Comment. Mst. ac dogm. de sacris eccles. orditnlionibus. Par. 1655, etc. Fb. Halierius (R. C): De sacris electionibus et ordinationibus. Rom. 1749. 3 vols. fol. G. L. HAnN: 1. c. p. 96 and p. 354 ff. Comp. the relevant sections in the archaeological works of Bingham, Augusti, Binteeim, etc.
The ordination of clergymen' was as early as the fourth or fifth century admitted into the number of sacraments. Angustine first calls it a sacrament, but with the remark that in his time the church unanimously acknowledged the sacramental character of this usage.^
Ordination is the solemn consecration to the special priesthood, as baptism is the introduction to the universal priesthood ; and it is the medium of communicating the gifts for the ministerial ofiice. It confers the capacity and authority of administering the sacraments and governing the body of believers, and secures to the church order, care, and steady growth to the end of time. A ruling power is as necessary in the church as in the state. In the Jewish church there was a hereditary priestly caste ; in the Christian this is exchanged for an unbroken succession of voluntary priests from all classes, but mostly from the middle and lower classes of the people.
Like baptism and confirmation, ordination imparts, according to the later scholastic doctrine, a character indelehilis, and cannot therefore be repeated.^ But this of course does not exclude the possibility of suspension and excommunication in case of gross
* XeipoTovia,KaBiip(Tis, ordinatio, aiid in the case of bishops, consccratio.
^ De bono conjug. c. 18 (torn, vi. p. 242), c. 24 (p. 247); Contr. Epist. Parmen. U ii. c. 12 (torn. ix. pp. 29, 30). Comp. Leo M. Epist. xii. c. 9 ; Gregor. M. Expos. In i. Regg. I. vi. c. 3. Tiiese and other passages in Hahn, p. 97.
' Already intimated bj Augustine, De bapt. c. Donat. ii. 2: "Sicut baptiz: tna, ei ab unitate recesserit, sacramentum dandi non amittit, sic etiam ord'natus, g ab initate recesserit, sacramentum dandi baptismum [t. c, ordinationj nor amittit.'
490 THIRD PEKIOD. A.D. 311-590.
imnioiulity or gross error. The council of Nice, iu 325, acknowledged even the validity of the ordination of the schismatic Novatians.
Corresponding to the three ordines majores there were three ordinations : to the diaconate, to the prcsbjterate, and to the episcopate.' Many of the most eminent bishops, however, like Cyprian and Ambrose, received the thi*ee rites in quick succession, and officiated only as bishops.
Different from ordination is installation, or induction into a particular congregation or diocese, which may be repeated as often as the minister is transferred.
Ordination was performed by laying on of hands and prayer, closing with the communion. To these were gradually added other preparatory and attendant practices ; such as the tonsure," the anointing with the chrism (only in the Latin church after Gregory the Great), investing with the insignia of the office (the holy books, and in the case of bishops the ring and staff), the kiss of brotherhood, etc. Only bishops can ordain, though presbyters assist. The ordination or consecraion of a bishop generally requires, for greater solenniity, thv presence of three bishops.
No one can receive priestly orders without a fixed field of labor which yields him support.^ In the course of time further restrictions, derived in part from the Old Testament, in regard to age, education, physical and moral constitution, freedom from the bonds of marriage, etc., were established by ecclesiastical legislation.
The favorite times for ordination were Pentecost and the quarterly C^uatember terms ^(^. e., the beginning of Quadrage-
' On the character of the ordination of the sub-deacons, as well as of diaconissae and presbyterae, there were aftei'ward diverse views. Usually this was considered ardination only iu an improper sense.
' Alter the fifth century, but under various forms, tonsura Petri, etc. It waa first applied to peniteats, then to monks, and finally to the clergy.
* Hence the old rules : " Ne quia vage ordinctur," and, " Nemo ordinatur sine titulo." Comp. Acts xiv. 23 ; Tit. i. 5 ; 1 Pet. v. 1.
* Quatuor tcmpora. Comp. the oil verse: "Post crux (Ilolyrood day, 14tb September), post einercs (Ash Wednesday), post spiritus (Pentecost) atque Luciw (13th December), Sit tibi in auguria quarta sequens feria."