All Orthodox Christians share a priesthood together as members of Christ’s Holy Church. Within this shared priesthood, some individual men are chosen to serve as Clergy, ordained according to Apostolic Succession by the Grace of God. The Clergy of the Church include Bishops, Priests, and Deacons. Therefore, the priestly ministry of the Church as a whole includes both the work of the Clergy and the work of the Laity (that is, the people). Two extremes must be avoided to maintain harmony: Clericalism, which devalues the contribution of the Laity, and Laicism, which devalues the contribution of the Clergy. Both Clergy and Laity are called to harmoniously work together for the benefit of all.
A Bishop (Episkopos) holds the highest degree of the Priesthood. In earlier centuries Bishops were married. Today, a Bishop is chosen from among celibate men. He may be either a never-married man or a widower. (The current practice of choosing only unmarried men as Bishops is not a matter of doctrine, but a rule set forth in the canons. This rule could be changed if the Church, through the guidance of the the Holy Spirit, decided to do so.) Even though Bishops have different titles, such as Patriarch, Archbishop, or Metropolitan, which indicate certain honors or responsibilities, all Bishops are essentially equal. The Bishop alone presides over all the Seven Mysteries (Sacraments) as a successor of the Holy Apostles. Within his jurisdiction (diocese or archdiocese), the Bishop possesses the highest authority. If a Bishop disregarded his responsibility to keep the Faith and failed to carry out his sacred ministry faithfully, his brother Bishops, who together form a Synod, could remove him from his position and depose him as Bishop. In the Church, everyone is accountable to someone else.
A Bishop may ordain a man, either celebate or married, as a Priest (that is, a Presbyter). Through the Mystery of Holy Ordination, the man receives the Grace of the Holy Priesthood by the hand of the Bishop. Placing his hand upon the man to be ordained, the Bishop prays for the Divine Grace to make the man a Priest of the Most High God.
As the leader of a local Orthodox community (parish), the Priest watches over the spiritual flock as a loving, attentive shepherd and assists the Bishop, the chief shepherd, in the ministry of the Church. The Priest possesses the authority to preside over all the Holy Mysteries with the exception of Holy Ordination. Only the Bishop, under whose authority and care the Priest serves, possesses the authority to ordain.
The Priest stands before the Holy Altar of Heaven in the Sanctuary of the Orthodox Temple to preside over the worship of the Church. He offers gifts to God on behalf of the people and receives the Divine Gifts that God gives in return. He touches the Holy Things sanctified by God’s Presence and, as a Physician, administers these Grace-filled Medicines to the Faithful for the healing of their souls and bodies. The Priest instructs the Faithful in the life of virtue, prays for their salvation as an advocate before God, and guides them on the Way of salvation. He both cares for the sick admitted to Christ’s Hospital and goes out to bring the sick into the Hospital. The Priest proclaims the Way of salvation to the world. Keep in mind that the Priest possesses authority, but not Power. The Power that works through the Priesthood (that is, the Divine Grace) belongs to God alone.
The Bishop may also ordain a man, either married of unmarried, as a Deacon (Diakonos). Originally, the Twelve Apostles instituted the Holy Diaconate as a ministry dedicated to caring for the practical daily needs of Christians. The Deacons ensured that all the widows fairly received the food they needed. This division of labor allowed the Apostles to remain focused on the evangelistic ministry proper to their Apostolic office. The Deacons assist the Bishop and the Priests by fulfilling a liturgical role in worship as well as tending to other work in the Church, as needed.
In addition to the Ordained Clergy, called Major Clergy (that is, the Bishop, Priests, and Deacons), lower degrees also exist. The Minor Clergy, including Subdeacons and Readers, are formally blessed by the Bishop to serve in certain roles. The Subdeacon assists the Bishops, Priests, and Deacons in the Sancturary. The Reader bears the responsibility to read the Holy Epistle and other texts, as necessary, in the services. Some Readers also sing or chant during the services. When the word Clergy is used, it generally refers to the Major Clergy, but all the clerical offices should be given proper honor and respect.
Read: Exodus 30.22-33; Leviticus 8-9; 18; Psalm 133; Acts 6.1-7; 13.1-3; 1 TImothy 4.6-16; 5.17-25; 1 Peter 2.1-12
Text copyright © 2018 by Fr. Symeon D. S. Kees / Image copyright © 2018 by Fr. Symeon D. S. Kees