The Orthodox Priest
Orders, vestments, titles and the pastoral life of the presbyter.
An Orthodox priest — presbyter — is ordained by a bishop to serve the sacraments in a parish: to celebrate the Divine Liturgy, baptise, hear confessions, marry, anoint the sick and bury the dead. He acts always in the name of his bishop, from whom he receives the antimension on which the Liturgy is served.
The three major orders
- Deacon — assists at the services, leads the litanies, does not celebrate the sacraments alone.
- Priest (presbyter) — celebrates the Liturgy and the sacraments in his parish, except ordination and the consecration of chrism.
- Bishop — has the fullness of the priesthood, ordains clergy and governs a diocese; bishops are chosen from the celibate or monastic clergy.
Marriage
A man may be married before ordination and remain married as a priest; he may not marry after ordination, and a widowed priest does not remarry. His wife is honoured with her own title — Presbytera in Greek use, Matushka in Russian, Popadija in Serbian, Preoteasa in Romanian.
Vestments and titles
- Sticharion, epitrachelion, zone, epimanikia and phelonion for the Liturgy.
- The pectoral cross, and for honoured priests the epigonation and the mitre (mitred archpriest).
- Titles: Father, then Archpriest or Protopresbyter for married clergy; Hieromonk, Igumen or Archimandrite for monastic clergy.
- Address him as 'Father', and in Greek practice ask his blessing with cupped hands.
What a priest does in a week
Vespers and Matins, the Divine Liturgy on Sunday and feast days, confessions before Communion, house blessings at Theophany, memorial services, catechism for inquirers, visits to the sick and the dying, and the daily cycle of his own prayer rule.
Frequently asked
- Can Orthodox priests marry?
- They can be married before ordination, but not after it. Bishops are always celibate or monastic.
- Can women be ordained in the Orthodox Church?
- Women are not ordained to the priesthood. The ancient order of deaconesses has been discussed and restored in a limited way in a few places.
- How should I address an Orthodox priest?
- As 'Father' followed by his first name. In many traditions you ask for a blessing rather than shaking hands, placing your right hand over your left, palms up.