Clergy Warning: You are not logged in. Your IP address will be publicly visible if you make any edits. If you log in or create an account, your edits will be attributed to your username, along with other benefits.Anti-spam check. Do not fill this in! == Etymology == The word ''cleric'' comes from the [[ecclesiastical Latin]] ''Clericus'', for those belonging to the priestly class. In turn, the source of the Latin word is from the [[Ecclesiastical Greek]] ''Klerikos'' (κληρικός), meaning appertaining to an inheritance, in reference to the fact that the [[Levitical]] priests of the [[Old Testament]] had no inheritance except the Lord.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |url=http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=cleric |title=cleric |encyclopedia=Online Etymology Dictionary |first=Douglas |last=Harper |publisher= |via=etymonline.com |access-date= |archive-date=2016-10-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161029114927/http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=cleric |url-status=live }}</ref> "Clergy" is from two [[Old French]] words, ''clergié'' and ''clergie'', which refer to those with learning and derive from [[Medieval Latin]] ''clericatus'', from [[Late Latin]] ''clericus'' (the same word from which "cleric" is derived).<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |url= http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=clergy |title= clergy |encyclopedia= Online Etymology Dictionary |first= Douglas |last= Harper |publisher= |via= etymonline.com |access-date= |archive-date= 2016-10-29 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20161029113401/http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=clergy |url-status= live }}</ref> "Clerk", which used to mean one ordained to the ministry, also derives from ''clericus''. In the Middle Ages, reading and writing were almost exclusively the domain of the priestly class, and this is the reason for the close relationship of these words.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |url=http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=clerk |title=clerk |encyclopedia=Online Etymology Dictionary |first=Douglas |last=Harper |publisher= |via=etymonline.com |access-date= |archive-date=2016-10-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161029173906/http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=clerk |url-status=live }}</ref> Within [[Christianity]], especially in [[Eastern Christianity]] and formerly in Western [[Roman Catholicism]], the term ''cleric'' refers to any individual who has been ordained, including [[deacon]]s, [[priest]]s, and [[bishop]]s.<ref name=cathenc>{{cite encyclopedia| url= http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04049b.htm| title= Cleric| encyclopedia= [[Catholic Encyclopedia]]| via= newadvent.org| publisher= | date= | access-date= | archive-date= 2018-08-20| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180820172913/http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04049b.htm| url-status= live}}</ref> In [[Latin Church|Latin Catholicism]], the [[tonsure]] was a prerequisite for receiving any of the [[minor orders]] or [[major orders]] before the tonsure, [[minor orders]], and the [[subdiaconate]] were abolished following the [[Second Vatican Council]].<ref>Paul VI, Apostolic letter ''motu proprio'' ''Ministeria quaedam'' nos. 2–4, 64 AAS 529 (1972).</ref> Now, the clerical state is tied to reception of the diaconate.<ref>''Ministeria quaedam'' no. 1; CIC Canon 266 § 1.</ref> [[Minor Orders]] are still given in the [[Eastern Catholic Churches]], and those who receive those orders are 'minor clerics.'<ref>{{cite encyclopedia| publisher= CCEO Canon 327| first= George |last= Nedungatt| title= Clerics| encyclopedia= A Guide to the Eastern Code| pages= 255, 260 |year= 2002| isbn= }}</ref> The use of the word ''cleric'' is also appropriate for [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Eastern Orthodox]] minor clergy who are tonsured in order not to trivialize orders such as those of Reader in the [[Eastern Church]], or for those who are tonsured yet have no minor or major orders. It is in this sense that the word entered the Arabic language, most commonly in Lebanon from the French, as ''kleriki'' (or, alternatively, ''cleriki'') meaning "[[seminarian]]." This is all in keeping with Eastern Orthodox concepts of clergy, which still include those who have not yet received, or do not plan to receive, the diaconate. A priesthood is a body of [[priest]]s, [[shaman]]s, or [[oracle]]s who have special religious authority or function. The term priest is derived from the [[Greek language|Greek]] [[presbyter]] (πρεσβύτερος, ''presbýteros'', elder or senior), but is often used in the sense of [[Sacerdotalism|sacerdos]] in particular, i.e., for clergy performing [[ritual]] within the sphere of the [[Sacred (comparative religion)|sacred]] or [[numinous]] communicating with the [[gods]] on behalf of the community. Summary: Please note that all contributions to Christianpedia may be edited, altered, or removed by other contributors. 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