Word of the Day: Major Orders

MAJOR ORDERS. The diaconate, priesthood, and episcopate. Until the Second Vatican Council and the decision of Pope Paul VI in 1973, the subdiaconate was also considered a major order.

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Before Paul VI's reckless toying with the Ordination Rites, as Father points out, the Subdiaconate was considered a Major Order, making seven  separate Orders, the four Minor Orders, and the three Major ones. The Episcopate had never before been considered a separate Order. It was held to be the fulfilment and completion of the Order of Priesthood.

This is why, in the illustration below, which predates Paul, the Seven Orders are shown without a reference to the Episcopate.