holy orders

noun

1. (used with a singular verb) the rite or sacrament of ordination.
2. (used with a singular verb) the rank or status of an ordained Christian minister.
3. (used with a plural verb) the major degrees or grades of the Christian ministry.

holy orders

plural noun

1. the sacrament or rite whereby a person is admitted to the Christian ministry
2. the grades of the Christian ministry
3. the rank or status of an ordained Christian minister

Word History and Origins

Origin of holy orders¹

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400

Example Sentences

This was an apparent reference to women not being allowed to become priests through the sacrament of Holy Orders and same-sex couples not allowed to contract marriage, which is also a sacrament.

From Reuters

The Reverend Dr Stephen Sizer, 69, was found by a church tribunal to have engaged in conduct "unbecoming to the office and work of a clerk in Holy Orders".

From BBC

“This confirms that the power of governance in the church doesn’t come from the sacrament of Holy Orders, but from the canonical mission” of every baptized Catholic, Ghirlanda told reporters.

From Seattle Times

They’re having nun of it: Five party girls spend a month cloistered in a convent in England in the reality series “Bad Habits, Holy Orders.”

From Los Angeles Times

It said the vicar's "domination" of the boy amounted to "misconduct which was unbecoming and inappropriate to the work and office of a Clerk in Holy Orders."

From BBC