Every true vocation begins with God's call and the Church's confirmation. In Orthodoxy we do not "choose a career"; we answer a calling and submit it to the judgment of Christ's Body.
"No one takes this honor to himself, but only when called by God"
Hebrews 5:4
What follows is a plain pastoral roadmap: what to do, whom to speak to, and what to expect whether you feel drawn to the priesthood (married or monastic) or to monastic life.
Foundations for Any Vocation
Goal: stand on solid spiritual ground so discernment is clear and safe.
Be fully in the Church:
- Baptized/Chrismated Orthodox
- Faithful in parish life
- Confession
- Holy Communion
Find a spiritual father/confessor: speak honestly about your desire. Obedience here protects you.
Daily prayer and Scripture: read the Gospels, Psalms, and the Pastoral Epistles (1–2 Timothy, Titus).
Heal what must be healed: unresolved scandals, addictions, debts, or grave sins need repentance and time.
Who to contact at this stage: your parish priest/confessor. Do not bypass him.
"If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me"
- Matthew 16:24a
Two Distinct Paths: Priesthood and Monastic Life
Orthodoxy knows two main states that often intertwine:
- Priesthood: ministry as Deacon and Priest (Presbyter). Bishops are chosen from monks.
- Monasticism: Rasophore → Stavrophore → Great Schema. A monk may later be ordained, but monastic life stands on its own.
Quick Comparison
| Aspect | Parish Priest (Married or Monastic) | Monk / Nun |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Aim | Pastoral care; sacraments; preaching | Repentance; prayer; obedience; stability |
| Authority Path | Bishop calls, examines, ordains | Abbot/Abbess receives, tests, tonsures |
| Marriage | Must marry before ordination to deacon; cannot marry after | Lifelong celibacy; no marriage |
| Education | Seminary/diocesan formation (varies) | Monastic obedience; sometimes formal study |
| Oversight | Diocesan Bishop | Abbot/Abbess (under a Bishop) |
Path to the Priesthood (Married or Monastic)
Step 1 - Discernment and Blessing
- Speak with your priest; if he discerns substance, he will introduce you to the bishop (often via the Chancellor/Vocations office).
- Spiritual inventory: confession, letters of recommendation, parish involvement.
Scripture to hold close: 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:6-9.
Step 2 - Formation (varies by jurisdiction)
- Seminary (residential or distance), or diocesan formation program if seminary isn't required/possible.
- Courses normally include Scripture, Dogmatics, Liturgy, Pastoral Care, Canon Law, Church History, and chant.
Field education: serving in parishes, chaplaincy visits, catechesis.
Who to contact: your Diocesan Chancery/Vocations Director. Your priest will provide the path and contacts.
Step 3 - Candidacy
- Reader/Tonsure (often first), Subdeacon (varies), then Ordination to Deacon, then to Priest.
- Background checks, references, health and (sometimes) psychological screening are commonly required.
If married clergy: marriage must occur before ordination to the diaconate. After ordination, marriage is not permitted. Widowed priests do not remarry.
Step 4 - Assignment
The Bishop assigns you to a parish or role. You serve under obedience.
Ongoing spiritual direction is essential. The weight of the priesthood is real (cf. 1 Corinthians 4:1–2).
Path to Monastic Life (Men and Women)
Step 1 - Visit, Don't Promise
- Visit a monastery for a few days. Pray the services, work, eat in silence. Ask simple questions; avoid big declarations.
- If peace endures, request a longer stay (weeks). The monastery will guide you.
Who to contact: the Monastery Guestmaster or Abbot/Abbess by email/phone for visit guidelines.
Step 2 - Aspirant to Novice (Obedience Period)
With blessing, you may be received as a novice (no vows yet). You learn obedience, prayer rule, silence, humility.
Novitiate typically lasts 1-3 years (can be shorter/longer).
Step 3 - Tonsure Stages
- Rasophore ("robe-bearer"): receives the rasson and a simple rule.
- Stavrophore ("cross-bearer"): formal vows—stability, obedience, chastity, poverty.
- Great Schema: fuller dedication with intensified prayer and ascetic rule (not automatic; given at the Abbot’s/Abbess' discernment).
Scripture to hold close: Matthew 19:21; Luke 14:28–33; Psalm 45(46):10.
Step 4 - Monastic Priesthood (if called)
Some monks are later ordained by the Bishop for monastery or diocesan service. The monastic vocation remains primary.
How Do I Know If I'm Called? (Signs and Safeguards)
Hopeful signs:
- Love for prayer and services; desire to serve, not to lead.
- Willingness to be taught and corrected.
- Readiness to sacrifice comfort, reputation, and control.
Red flags:
- Seeking status, attention, or platforms.
- Escaping debts, family duties, or civil obligations.
- Resistance to obedience or transparency.
Safeguards: submit your desire to your spiritual father and bishop (or abbot/abbess). The Church's "yes" or "not yet" is God's mercy.
Practical Notes (Often Overlooked)
- Finances: seminarians may need tuition; some dioceses assist. Monasteries usually provide necessities; personal debts can be an obstacle.
- Documents: birth/marriage certificates, sacramental records, references, background checks.
- Health: speak frankly about physical/mental health; ascetic life and parish ministry are demanding.
- Language and Music: basic chant and liturgical English (or local language) help immensely.
- Stability: priests and monks live by obedience - assignments and obediences are not self-chosen.
Who to Contact (Simple Checklist)
If you feel drawn to the Priesthood (married or monastic):
- Talk to your parish priest/confessor.
- With his blessing, contact the diocesan chancery/vocations office.
- Apply for seminary or diocesan formation (as directed).
- Serve faithfully in your parish during studies.
- Receive orders (Reader/Subdeacon/Deacon/Priest) only at the Bishop's call.
- Accept assignment in obedience.
If you feel drawn to Monastic Life:
- Speak to your confessor.
- Arrange a monastery visit (abbot/abbess or guestmaster).
- If peace remains, ask for a longer stay.
- Request novitiate when the monastery invites it.
- Receive tonsure at the abbot's/abbess' discretion.
- Remain faithful and stable. If later ordained, it will be by the Bishop at the monastery's request.
Common Questions
Can I be both married and a monk?
No. Monastic tonsure entails celibacy.
Can a married man become a priest?
Yes. If married before ordination to the diaconate.
Can I choose my parish or monastery?
You may ask but you do not assign yourself. Obedience governs placement.
How long does it take?
As long as the Church judges necessary. Haste harms souls.
Conclusion
Let the Church Test the Call. Vocation is not proven by feelings but by faithful obedience over time.
"By their fruits you shall know them"
- Matthew 7:16
If Christ is calling, He will open the right doors through your priest, your bishop, or the monastery - and He will also close the wrong ones. Pray simply, confess often, serve quietly. The rest belongs to God.
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