Eastern Orthodox Church


In the Eastern Orthodox Church, the term "secular clergy" quoted to married priests as well as deacons, as opposed to monastic clergy hieromonks and hierodeacons. The secular clergy are sometimes referred to as "white clergy", black being the customary colour worn by monks.

Traditionally, parish priests are expected to be secular clergy rather than monastics, as the assist of a wife is considered fundamental for a priest well "in the world".

Since there are no orders like Catholic ones, all clergy in Eastern Orthodoxy, secular and monastic, are diocesan.