Holy Orders is the sacrament through which the mission entrusted by Christ to his apostles continues to be exercised in the Church until the end of time. Holy orders in salvation history: the Aaronic priesthood. The institution of the Eucharist and of the New Testament priesthood. Jesus is both the High Priest and the sacrifice of the new covenant. The priesthood in the Early Church. The priesthood of all believers and the ordained priesthood. The priest acts in the person of Christ. The three degrees of Holy Orders: bishops, priests, deacons. The celebration of the sacrament. Who can be ordained? Priestly celibacy. The effects of the sacrament.
