The Priesthood Objectives To understand the institution of

The Priesthood

Objectives /To understand the institution of the priesthood and where it comes from /To learn about the role of the priest and the ranks of priesthood in the church

Introduction… /What can you tell me about the army? /Does it have ranks? /What does the leader teach his soldiers? /What are they supposed to fight for/against?

/Who thinks we are like soldiers? /What are we fighting for? /Who is our leader?

St John Chrysostom and priesthood /“The work of the priesthood is done on earth, but it is ranked among heavenly ordinances. And this is only right, for no man, no angel, no archangel, no other created power, but the Paraclete Himself ordained this succession, and persuaded men, while still remaining in the flesh to represent the ministry of angels”

Cont’d… /A priest is not only the person who offers Mass and hears confessions, he is a “man of God” and a “man of prayer. ” He is with people in times of joy and sorrow, he does not remain distant.

/As the priest must continue to be a man of prayer, of God, a leader, we are people of God and are called by God to work for the kingdom. /A priest is called to witness and proclaim God’s love for the world. /The Mass is the center of a priests world, it is the apex of this proclomation.

Cont’d… /The priest must be one who walks with people, working with them and involving them in the work for the Kingdom; helping them and being helped by them. His heart must be with the poor, the sick and the needy. He must work for justice and support those involved in this ministry

Apostles… /Lord Jesus, as head of the church and therefore the on whom the whole body of church depends and as “High Priest of the good things that have come” (Hebrews 9: 11), chose a number of men and named them disciples and apostles.

Apostles cont’d… /He commanded them to go forth and baptize people everywhere and teach them to observe His commandments. /They were given the power to forgive sins/withhold forgiveness and to work signs and wonders in His name. /They were considered mediators between Christ and His church through the exercise of priestly functions.

The Sacrament… /The Sacrament of Priesthood is a holy sacrament through which the bishop lays his hands on the head of the elected candidate, so that the Holy Spirit will descend on him and grant him the priestly order.

Origin of the word… /Ooeeb: in Coptic means priest and is derived from the Coptic word Ethoab meaning saintly or righteous. /Ooeeb is the priest to signify that he is a righteous man, adorned by holiness and purity.

Institution of Priesthood / Lord Jesus Christ instituted this Sacrament when He chose the twelve of His followers and consecrated them for ministry, “He called His disciples to Him, and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles” (Lk 6: 13). He gave them the authority of absolution and binding, “He breathed on them, and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit’. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained” (Jn 20: 22 -23). Notice that this took place before the Pentecost and the gift of the Holy Spirit here is the gift of ordination. Only to them He said, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Mt 28: 19) and only to them He delivered the mystery of His Body and Blood (The Eucharist)

The Honor of Priesthood /Priesthood is a great honor as it is a consecration of the work with God for the salvation of the souls of the people of God, “Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the Mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful” (1 Corinthians 4: 1 -2)

All in all… /A divine call /A divine choice /An appointment by the Lord /A selection by the Lord /A consecration /A stewardship

Ranks of the Priesthood /The order of Deacons: Deacons are servants /The order of Priests: Priests are teachers /The order of Bishops: Bishops are overseers and shepherds

The Deacon /Our teacher St. Paul specified the requirements of a deacon, in his First Epistle to Timothy (3: 8 -13): “Likewise deacons must be: reverent, holding the mystery of faith with a pure conscience, ruling their children and their houses well, should be tested first and then proved and found blameless, so they can be ordained”

The Priest /He is the intercessor in the Holies of Holy for the congregation. He is a teacher who teaches the people of the word of God and leads them to the way of God, virtues, mysteries of the religion, and explains the rites and details the word of truth. /“For the lips of a priest should keep knowledge, and people should seek the from his mouth, for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts” (Malachi 2: 7)

Commandments of a Priest / To teach by good example and inspiring sermons / Caring for the congregation as a father / Offer faithful service / To work for achieving the food of eternal life which doesn’t perish / Continuous growth in grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ / He must escape from the love of money, which is the source of all evil deeds. / He must avoid envy, unkindness, pride, hypocrisy, boasting and false witnessing / He must Love God and all creation with all his heart and soul!

The Bishop /Overseer and pastor. Pasturing over the congregation, teaching them and keeping them in the church and Faith. /Lord Jesus practiced these works as He was wandering through cities and villages teaching, guiding and visiting people who were weary and scattered like sheep having no shepherd. /The responsibility of the bishop is before throne of God.

Virtues of a Bishop / In the hymn of virtues, they ask God to dwell upon him the following: / Love / Hope / Faith / Purity / Celibacy / Peace / Wisdom / Righteous / Meekness (selfless aspect of Love) / Patience / Endurance / Asceticism (abstinence from worldly pleasure)

Conclusion /Priesthood in the New Testament is a Biblical reality and a ministry ordained by our Lord Himself. /Our Lord is our High Priest, on earth and in Heaven. /He granted the priesthood to His disciples and those ordained by them

Conclusion Cont’d / St John Chrysostom said about Priesthood: “It is to priests that spiritual birth and regeneration by baptism is entrusted. By them we put on Christ, and are united to the Son of God, and become members of that blessed head. Hence we should regard them as more august than princes and kings, and more vulnerable than parents, for the latter begot us of blood and the will of the flesh, but priests are the cause of our generation from God, of our spiritual regeneration, of our true freedom and sonship according to grace”

Memory Verse /“For the lips of a priest should keep knowledge, and people should seek the law from his mouth, for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts” /(Malachi 2: 7)