In the Christian Orthodox tradition, there are two types of clergy: white and black. Under the first understand the clergy who are married, and the second are those who have received monastic tonsure.
Hieromonks in the Orthodox Church call priests who have received monastic tonsure. The priest in the church tradition is called a priest. Accordingly, the priest-monk - hieromonk.
You can become a hieromonk both immediately upon ordination to the priesthood, and after several years of service as an ordinary priest. For example, if a lay person came to the monastery and remained there to work, then at first he is a worker, a novice, then he can become a monk. Then he takes monastic tonsure, gives vows of celibacy, obedience, non-possessiveness. He who has accepted monasticism is dressed in a peculiar angelic image. Ordinary monks can be ordained to the priesthood. A priest who was already a monk before the time of ordination automatically becomes a hieromonk.
There are other cases. For example, a priest belongs to the white clergy, that is, he is a married man. If suddenly he remains a widower, being in priestly dignity, then the clergyman can take monastic tonsure. After the ordination, it is no longer possible to marry, therefore the widowed priests most often take the vows of monasticism. Thus, it turns out that a priest who has received monastic tonsure will already be called a hieromonk.
It is also necessary to say that the hieromonk is the first degree of the priestly ministry of the black clergy. For the length of service or special merits, the priesthood is given to the priesthood by the priests. Abbots of monasteries may also be called abbots and archimandrites.
A distinctive feature of the hieromonk's vestments is a headdress - a monastic hood and a monastic mantle.
If the hieromonk is glorified in the face of saints, then the person belongs to the reverential rite of holiness. That is, to the monks who acquired a special divine grace.
