Chuntian Academy International

In general religious use, ordination is the process by which one is consecrated (set apart for the undivided administration of various religious rites). That is, it is the process in which clergy, monks or nuns are set apart and authorized by their religious denomination or non denominational seminary to perform religious rituals and ceremonies or otherwise to minister in a clerical capacity. One who is in preparation for, or who is undergoing the process of ordination, is sometimes called an ordinand.

Ordination is a requirement in a number of jurisdictions to officiate weddings. In places where ordination is not required by secular law, it is left to the requirements of the particular denomination or church whether ordination is required to officiate weddings.