Ordination Specifications

[JuvenalyMartinka]

Orthosdoxa brought up a good point in another thread regarding situations in which a man can not be ordained a priest.

I had a question regarding this for myself.

I desire one day, if it is the will of God, to be ordained possibly as a deacon or possibly as a priest. At the present time I have a visual deficiency where I have no peripheral vision. I can not see as well on the sides as others with full peripheral vision.

Does anyone know if this is a detriment to orders? I also do not know if this is something that can be fixed. I can get glasses that would improve my overall vision but the side vision I do not know if it can be fixed.

Anyone know if this would prevent me from being ordained in one rank or the other?

[ThePilgrim]

All such things are at the bishop's discretion, and exceptions can be made. It would be absolutely essential, however, that there would be no danger to the Holy Gifts.

Grace and peace,
John

[JuvenalyMartinka]

That was what I had thought (bishop's discretion), however, Vladika MAXIM is not the easiest man to get a hold of. I had thought to email the webmaster of the Western Diocese site and see if there was an email contact for Vladika (I hate phone calls with Bishops LOL!) but have not done so yet. Is there anyone here that might know if there is such info out there available?

[Matrona]

A good idea would be to tell your priest/spiritual father what you're considering, and he can act as your liaison to the bishop (at least in initiating contact).

[JuvenalyMartinka]

I love smart people. They make me not have to think too hard and are always smarter than me anyways. Thank you Matrona. :wave:

[Orthosdoxa]

The guy who led my DH to Orthodoxy is in a wheelchair, and he had wanted to be a priest (as all male converts do at some point, it seems), but he's divorced now :( so it wouldn't be an option, even if he did find a bishop who'd work around his disability. Just made me wonder.

[Philothei]

All such things are at the bishop's discretion, and exceptions can be made. It would be absolutely essential, however, that there would be no danger to the Holy Gifts.

Grace and peace,
John
what he said :) Also to reinforce that they are pretty lenient....

God bless,
Philothei

[ClementofRome]

I love smart people. They make me not have to think too hard and are always smarter than me anyways. Thank you Matrona. :wave:

Misha, I say this to myself all the time!!!! ^_^ And yes, Matrona is a good one! :thumbsup: