Pronunciation: [kˈa͡ɪɹə͡ʊtənɪ] (IPA) 
Chirotony is spelled as /kəˈrɒtəni/. This word means the act of electing or appointing someone by a show of hands. The word is derived from Greek "kheir" meaning "hand" and "tonos" meaning "tension." Therefore, chirotony essentially refers to electing or appointing someone by raising one's hand. The unique spelling of the word can prove tricky for some, but with practice, one can ace its pronunciation and definition effortlessly.
Chirotony is a term derived from the Greek words "cheir," meaning hand, and "teinein," meaning to stretch or extend. In its strictest sense, chirotony refers to the ancient ritual of appointing or consecrating a bishop in Christian religious traditions, particularly in the Eastern Orthodox Church. It is a formal and sacred ceremony conducted to grant authority and leadership responsibilities to an individual within the hierarchy of the church.
During a chirotony, the candidate, also known as an ordinand, typically lies prostrate before the altar, symbolizing humility and surrender to God's will. The bishops and other clergy present, guided by liturgical rites and prayers, lay their hands upon the ordinand's head, conveying the transmission of spiritual power and grace. Through this tactile act, it is believed that the Holy Spirit is invoked, and the ordinand is blessed with the ability to oversee and guide the faithful.
Chirotony is steeped in rich religious symbolism and carries profound spiritual significance for the ordinand and the church community. It marks a pivotal moment in the ordinand's life, signifying their ordination to a specialized divine office and lifelong commitment to serving God and His people. Moreover, it highlights the sacred continuity of apostolic succession—an unbroken line of bishops tracing back to the original apostles, who were themselves ordained by Jesus Christ.
Although chirotony's primary usage is specific to Christian religious contexts, the term can, more loosely, be used to describe any ceremonial act of appointing or investing someone with authority or responsibility, particularly within an organizational or institutional setting.
The word "chirotony" is derived from the Greek words "cheir" meaning "hand" and "tonos" meaning "tension" or "stretching". In ancient Greece, "cheirotonia" referred to the act of stretching out or extending one's hand, particularly during voting or the election of officials. Over time, the term evolved and came to specifically denote the act of raising one's hand in order to cast a vote within an assembly. In modern usage, "chirotony" generally refers to the ordination or appointment of clergy members, particularly in the Eastern Orthodox Church, where the laying on of hands is a significant aspect of the process.
