Path of Ordination

## **Introduction**

The **Path of Ordainment** is the process by which those who are called to serve the Church of the Holy Light receive their Holy Orders. This is done through three sequential steps: the Local Process, the Deanery Process, and the Diocesan Process. Upon completing all three, the Deacon-Candidate will have earned their right to take their Holy Orders and become an ordained member of the Church and the Diocese of Westridge.

The Path of Ordination was designed by **Bishop Kristiana Greycliff** with the aid of Sir Valrik the Exalted of the Order of St. Isaac and First Inquisitor Pridion Greycliff.

## **Local Process**

*The Path of Ordination begins with a period of discernment called the Local Process. Those who feel called to take Holy Orders within the Diocese of Westridge are given the title of “Tyro”.*

### **Appointment With the Bishop**

Those who feel themselves called to a life of ministry and service to the Church of the Holy Light must first make their intentions known to their local or assigned diocese. To this end, recruits and soldiers of the First Regiment are required to take their Holy Orders through the Diocese of Westridge by first meeting with the current Bishop of Westridge.

An appointment may be made through several methods: (a) a letter sent to the Bishop requesting an appointment, (b) through the assistance of a recognized Diocesan member, or (c) by speaking with the Bishop directly if they are present and available to do so. Once an appointment is made, the Bishop and the Tyro will meet to briefly discuss the Diocese’s process of taking Holy Orders (otherwise known as the “Path of Ordainment”) and explain the expectations of the Local Discernment Process.

###  **Begin Spiritual Direction**

Immediately after meeting with the Bishop, the Tyro is to start their Spiritual Direction through a mentor who will serve as their guide and support throughout the ordination process. This may be done in one of two ways: (a) the Tyro may choose a mentor or (b) the Bishop will assign a mentor to the Tyro. The Tyro may pick either of these two options so long as there are available resources to do so.

For a Tyro who intends to seek out a mentor of their own choosing, the mentor must meet the following requirements: (a) be an ordained member of the Diocesan clergy, an ordained member of the Stormwind Inquisition, or an active Knight-Paladin of the Order of Saint Isaac, (b) be in good standing with both the Diocese of Westridge and the greater Church of the Holy Light and (c) have permission to act as a mentor from their respective Order leader.

It should be noted that the Tyro may accrue several mentors throughout their Path of Ordination - all who will be able to help facilitate their training and act as an intermediary between the Tyro and Diocesan leadership.

### **Write a Spiritual Autobiography**

Once the Tyro has found an approved mentor, they will be required to write a Spiritual Autobiography that outlines significant events, places, and people that have influenced the Tyro’s relationship with the Holy Light. This should be done as a written essay. While the length of the autobiography is not important, the content of it is. As such, Tyros are encouraged to focus on the candidacy of their autobiography rather than on its length.

While a Spiritual Autobiography may take many shapes and forms, the following should be included at a minimum: background information, when and how the Tyro first became aware and/or committed to following the Light, what the Tyro believes the Light is calling them to, and how life events have shaped the Tyro’s faith.

### **Complete the Period of Discernment**

Once the Tyro has completed their Spiritual Autobiography, they automatically begin their Period of Discernment - an intentional time of study, reflection and experience guided by the Tyro's mentor to discern the call to serve the Light. The Tyro will be given several resources to study in their own time until their discernment period has concluded.

This period typically ends once the Tyro has promoted to Private within the regiment as a starting recruit or after 30 days of active service in case of a transfer. This discernment period may be extended at the Bishop’s discretion.

## **Chaplaincy Process**

*After the Local Process has been completed and approved, a tryo moves into the Chaplaincy Process and is now known as a Chaplain.*

### **Complete Ecclesiastical Curriculum**

Once the Local Process has been completed, the new Chaplain will start ecclesiastical instruction with their mentor along with other possible instructors. The official curriculum may be found here and the Chaplain must be able to meet all the outlined objectives and complete all required tasks and assignments. The method in which the Chaplain must demonstrate objective competency will be at the mentor’s discretion to both decide and assess.

### **Letter of Recommendation**

Once the Chaplain has completed the Ecclesiastical Curriculum, they must request a written letter of recommendation be sent to the Bishop of Westridge. Acceptable sources of recommendation are any of the following in good standing with the Diocese of Westridge: (a) an ordained member of the clergy, (b) a knight-paladin of the Order of Saint Isaac, or (c) an ordained member of the Stormwind Inquisition. This letter of recommendation is to be sent directly to the office of the Bishop of Westridge.

### **Diocesan Approval**

Once the Bishop has received the letter of recommendation, they will acknowledge the Chaplain’s completion of ecclesiastical instruction and the Chaplaincy Process ends. The Final Process begins immediately afterward.

## **Final Process**

*Upon completion of the Chaplaincy Process, a Chaplain moves to the Diocesan Process.*

### **Ordination Exam**

Once the Chaplain has begun the Final Process, they may arrange to take the Ordination Exam. This exam will assess the Chaplain's knowledge of basic Church and Clerical Corps history, doctrine, and information.

### **Holy Pilgrimage**

In addition to passing the Ordination Exam, Chaplains must complete a Holy Pilgrimage that includes three (3) or more of the following sites of religious importance: Alonsus Chapel (Stratholme City), Tyr's Hand Cathedral (Eastweald), Light's Dawn Cathedral (Gilneas City), The Sanctum of Stromgarde (Strom), Uther's Tomb (Westweald), Light's Hope Chapel (Eastweald), or Tirisfal Monument (Tirisfal Glades).

In order for the Chaplain to start their pilgrimage, they must first receive a permitted leave of absence from military duty in order to do so. Once permission has been given, the Chaplain will pack the required necessities for the voyage and may leave immediately. It is important to note that several of the holy sites are located in hostile or contested territory and it is important to plan for the dangers of these areas.

As part of the Holy Pilgrimage, Chaplains will be asked to compose a journal throughout the expedition, noting specifically how the pilgrimage applies to the teachings of the Holy Light. At a minimum, one journal entry should be completed at every pilgrimage site that the Chaplain visits.

### **Diocesan Review**

After the Chaplain passes their Ordination Exam and completes their Holy Pilgrimage, the Bishop will verify that all requirements of the Local, Chaplaincy, and Final Processes have been met and that the Chaplain is still in good standing with their faith, the regiment, and the greater Church of the Holy Light.

### Final Confirmation

Once the Final Review has been completed, the Bishop of Westridge will notify the Chaplain that the seminarian process has been completed and will schedule a date and time to perform the Rite of Ordination.

## **Rite of Ordination**

Once the Chaplain completes the Rite of Ordination, they will be recognized as having taken their Holy Orders and is now a member of the Church of Holy Light's ordained clergy within the Clerical Corps.