Ordination
Below are the lists of documents required for submission, along with their definitions and suggested content, for each scenario of ordination or transfer in the Orthodox Church in America.
Ordination Candidates
Here are the six common scenarios that candidates may find themselves in when preparing for ordination, and links to initiate the paperwork process.
Seminarian, To Diaconate, Married
Petition, letter of faculty support, letter of episcopal support, letter of spousal support, letter from confessor, psychological evaluation, background check, questionnaire, proof of baptism / chrismation, proof of spouse's baptism / chrismation, proof of ecclesiastical marriage, proof of parish membership, proof of education, portrait photo.
Seminarian, To Diaconate, Unmarried
Petition, letter of faculty support, letter of episcopal support, letter from confessor, psychological evaluation, background check, questionnaire, proof of baptism/chrismation,proof of parish membership, proof of education, photo
Seminarian, To Priesthood, Married, Ordained to Diaconate at Seminary
Petition, letter of faculty support, letter of episcopal support, letter of spousal support, letter from confessor
Seminarian, To Priesthood, Married, Ordained to Diaconate prior to Seminary
Petition, letter of faculty support, letter of episcopal support, letter of spousal support, letter from confessor, psychological evaluation, background check, questionnaire, proof of baptism/chrismation, proof of spouse's baptism/chrismation, proof of ecclesiastical marriage, proof of parish membership, proof of education, proof of diaconal ordination, photo
Seminarian, To Priesthood, Unmarried, Ordained to Diaconate prior to Seminary
Petition, letter of faculty support, letter of episcopal support, letter from confessor, psychological evaluation, background check, questionnaire, proof of baptism / chrismation, proof of parish membership, proof of education, proof of diaconal ordination, photo.
Seminarian, To Priesthood, Unmarried, Ordained to Diaconate at Seminary
Petition, letter of faculty support, letter of episcopal support, letter from confessor
Document Definitions & Suggested Content
Petition: This is a formal but brief letter from you to His Beatitude the Metropolitan asking for ordination. The petition should mention that you have the support of the seminary faculty, your diocesan hierarch, your father confessor, and, if you are married, your spouse.
Letter of Episcopal Support: You should solicit a letter from your diocesan hierarch, addressed to His Beatitude the Metropolitan, in support of your petition. Though the Chancery may receive a copy separately, please upload a copy here, too.
Photo: This is a passport-style, headshot photo of yourself.
Letter of Faculty Support: This letter supporting your petition should come from the faculty of your seminary and be addressed to His Beatitude the Metropolitan. Though the Chancery will receive a copy separately, please send a copy here, too.
Letter of Spousal Support: Please upload a letter from your spouse in support of your petition. This should be a brief, formal letter addressed by her to His Beatitude the Metropolitan.
Proof of Ecclesiastical Marriage: Please upload a certificate of ecclesiastical marriage. If no such certificate is available, then a record of civil marriage indicating the place and minister of the sacrament may be used instead.
Psychological Evaluation: The faculty and staff at your seminary should help you schedule a psychological evaluation, which will be paid for by the OCA. Though the Chancery will receive a copy of the evaluation separately, you should receive a copy, too, which should be uploaded here.
Letter from Your Father Confessor: You should solicit a letter from your father confessor, addressed to His Beatitude the Metropolitan, in support of your petition. Though the Chancery may receive a copy separately, please upload a copy here, too.
Proof of Spouse's Baptism / Chrismation: Please upload an official ecclesiastical certificate of baptism, or, if your spouse was received into the Orthodox Church by Chrismation, a certificate of Chrismation. If such a certificate is unavailable for some compelling reason, please upload another, alternate, official record or a letter explaining why no record is available.
Proof of Baptism / Chrismation: Please upload an official ecclesiastical certificate of baptism, or, if you were received into the Orthodox Church by Chrismation, a certificate of Chrismation. If such a certificate is unavailable for some compelling reason, please upload another, alternate, official record or a letter explaining why no record is available.
Background Check: Please contact the seminary for your background check, which should be on file, and upload a copy here.
Proof of Diaconal Ordination: Please upload your ordination certificate.
Proof of Education: Please upload images of diplomas or academic transcripts for all of your post-secondary education.
Proof of Parish Membership: Please upload documentation (parish bulletin, letter from parish priest) indicating your current parish membership.
Transfers
Here are the two common scenarios for those who are transferring into the OCA.
Married
Petition, willing-to-release letter from current bishop, willing-to-receive letter from OCA diocesan bishop, psychological evaluation, background check, questionnaire, proof of baptism/chrismation, proof of spouse's baptism/chrismation, proof of ecclesiastical marriage, proof of holy orders, proof of education, proof of theological education, proof of parish membership, photo.
Unmarried
Petition, willing-to-release letter from current bishop, willing-to-receive letter from OCA diocesan bishop, psychological evaluation, background check, questionnaire, proof of baptism/chrismation, proof of holy orders, proof of education, proof of theological education, proof of parish membership, photo.
Document Definitions & Suggested Content
Petition: This is a formal but brief letter from you to His Beatitude the Metropolitan asking for incardination in the Orthodox Church in America. Your petition should mention your current bishop's blessing for you to seek a transfer. It should also mention the support of a current diocesan hierarch of the OCA who has expressed a willingness to receive you into his diocese.
Willing-to-Release: Please upload here a letter from your current bishop indicating his willingness to release you from his omophorion.
Psychological Evaluation: The chancery of the diocese in which you seek incardination should be able to assist you in scheduling a psychological evaluation. Though the OCA Chancery may receive a copy separately, please upload a copy here as well.
Willing-to-Receive: Please upload a letter from a current OCA bishop indicating his willingness to receive you into his diocese and under what circumstances (such as: for assignment, for attachment, in retirement, etc.).
Proof of Baptism / Chrismation: Please upload an official ecclesiastical certificate of baptism, or, if you were received into the Orthodox Church by Chrismation, a certificate of Chrismation. If such a certificate is unavailable for some compelling reason, please upload another, alternate, official record or a letter explaining why no record is available.
Background Check: The chancery of the diocese in which you seek incardination should be able to assist you in completing a background check. Though the OCA may receive this information separately, please request a copy of the background check for yourself, either through the diocese or the OCA chancery, and upload here.
Letter of Faculty Support: This letter supporting your petition should come from the faculty of your seminary and be addressed to His Beatitude the Metropolitan. Though the Chancery will receive a copy separately, please upload a copy here, too.
Proof of Ecclesiastical Marriage: Please upload a certificate of ecclesiastical marriage. If no such certificate is available, then a record of civil marriage indicating the place and minister of the sacrament may be used instead.
Photo: Please upload a passport-style photo (headshot).
Proof of Diaconal Ordination: Please upload your ordination certificate.
Proof of Ordination: Please upload your ordination certificate(s). (If you are a priest, please upload both your diaconal and priestly ordination certificates.)
Proof of Spouse's Baptism / Chrismation: Please upload an official ecclesiastical certificate of baptism, or, if your spouse was received into the Orthodox Church by Chrismation, a certificate of Chrismation. If such a certificate is unavailable for some compelling reason, please upload another, alternate, official record or a letter explaining why no record is available.
Proof of Parish Membership: Please upload documentation (parish bulletin, letter from parish priest) indicating your current parish membership.
Proof of Education: Please upload images of diplomas or academic transcripts for all of your post-secondary education.
Proof of Theological Education: Please upload here proof of all theological education. Such proof may consist in a certificate or diploma, or in an official academic transcript or analogous record.