Apostles received their calling to ministry from Christ when he said to them “come and follow me.”  In the Armenian Church, those who are called to serve as Deacons, Priests and Bishops receive this sacrament.

In the Church, there is the three-fold ministry or rank of clergymen: Bishop, Priest and Deacon.  In the Armenian Church there are four minor ranks of clerk (tbir): door keeper, reader, exorcist and acolyte.