Under Metropolitan Nicholas of Amisos, Hierarch of the American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese in the USA
A Diocese under the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople

Divine Liturgies are celebrated at 8:30am on the first Sunday of the Month, and 9am every remaining Sunday

St. Nicholas Clergy

One of the classic treatises, On the Priesthood, was written by St. John Chrysostom in the 4th century, but his views are just as valid today as they were then.

St. John Chrysostom, who abridged St. Basil's Liturgy, which is officiated on most days throughout the year, was also known for his preaching, for which fact he was called the "golden-mouthed". He was also the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople from 397 to 404.He felt unworthy to become a priest, but nevertheless became a monk and eventually a bishop. This treatise deals with a close friend, Bishop Basil (not the famous Bishop of Caesarea) and their exchange of ideas on the priesthood.

St. John emphasizes the great importance of the priestly office. He describes the dignity of the priesthood, quoting St. Paul. He stresses the need to be prepared scholastically, spiritually and emotionally. A priest must possess great powers of self-repression and give importance to preaching. In keeping with his character, he deals with the indifference to human praise and to be in constant battle with Satan.

He goes to some length in showing the difficulty of feeding Christ's sheep and the use of gentle remedies, using much tact. Each parishioner should be treated as an individual, using great wisdom and "a thousand eyes to examine the soul's condition from every side." Above all, a priest should know the power of love and give preeminence to Christian charity. The priest's office ranks among celestial ordinances and his majesty is manifested at the Eucharist. The power of absolution raises the priest beyond kings, thus making his power greater than that of a father.

The priest is compared to a navigator, steering the ship around the rocks of vainglory and the savage beasts upon them - anger, gloom, envy, strife, slander, accusations, falsehood, hypocrisy, intrigue. He should shun the desire for praise, yearning for honor, teaching intended to please, ignoble flattery, contempt for the poor, fawning on the rich, loss of freedom of speech, suppression of convictions and reproof. The office of priesthood must not be blamed for its unworthy members. Wise men do not blame wine for drunkenness, nor strength for outrage, nor courage for reckless daring.

The priest must avoid ambition and have a grasp of detail. He feels that self-mortification is less important than self-repression. He warns against the dangers of a passionate temper. A priest must be dignified yet modest, awe-inspiring yet kindly, masterful yet accessible, impartial yet courteous, humble yet not servile, vehement yet gentle, considering the one end of the edification of the Church. A priest is called upon to settle disputes with personal tact, which involves countless burdens and much expenditure of time, to find the justice of the case and not to subvert it when found.

St. John Chrysostom stresses the importance of preaching, the need to refute heresies and check idle speculation. He quotes St. Paul extensively who did not underrate the value of preaching, giving instances of his eloquence. The priest should heed the advice of St. Paul to Timothy: "Give heed to reading, to exhortation, to teaching" (2 Tim. 2:24). He warns the priest of the danger regarding the Services as a performance and should require loftiness of mind far beyond his own littleness of spirit in preaching. There is danger of either love of or contempt for praise and indifference to slander and envy. The priest should at all times aim to please God. As such, he should not seek applause and unmerited praise.

The priest is accountable for the sins of his flock and should avoid sensual temptations, practicing self-control, for there is need for purity in reference to the Eucharist, being discrete and experienced in many matters. The priest is in constant battle with the devil, which is more difficult than others, because he is unseen by us and his attacks are very sudden. A priest should bear his fortune bravely, for with "the help of Christ Who called you and set you over His own sheep, you will obtain such boldness from this ministry that you may receive me on that Great Day into your everlasting habitation" (Luke 16:9).

Fr. Vasile Hategan

Cleveland, Ohio