by Fr. Dimitri Gagastathis “Jesus the Good Shepherd, I thank Thee because Thou hast given to me, the small and weak one, the same command that Thou gavest to Thine Apostle, when Thou didst tell him, ‘Feed my lambs, feed my sheep.’ (John 21:17). Never would I dare, O Lord, to accept such a … [Read more...]
The Paradigm Shift In The Orthodox Priesthood
by Fr. Aris Metrakos In this article, originally entitled "Brother, Can You Spare A Paradigm?", Fr. Aris makes clear that misconceptions about what the priest is, and isn't, are failing, and that there is one legitimate alternative, and it is catching fire across America, and beyond! This essay was … [Read more...]
Commandments of St. Basil the Great to Priests
Always worthy of reflection, the Commandments of St. Basil the Great to Priests is often reviewed by ordained clergy. Note, especially, the first one! Study, O priest, to make yourself a blameless worker, rightly proclaiming the word of truth. Never stand at the Synaxis having hatred toward anyone … [Read more...]
Why You’re Not Too Old To Become A Priest
Meet Fr. William John Clark. He was ordained a deacon in 2001, and in 2003 at the tender age of 68 years was ordained to the Holy Priesthood. Now you might be tempted to say, "That's crazy! What could he possibly do for the Church at such an advanced age as a deacon, let alone as a … [Read more...]
Tentmaking Today: The Bi-Vocational Priest
by Fr. Anastasios Hudson When people meet me, they are usually surprised to learn that not only am I an Orthodox Christian priest, but that I also work as a Computer Network Consulting Engineer. The term for what I am is “bi-vocational.” It is not a term that I invented, or which was even created … [Read more...]
Am I Called To Be A Priest?
And how can I tell? These are the questions every future priest must ask. The first and most important thing is - you don't do it alone. You aren't sending yourself into the work of the Church. Your call must be tested. Confirmed. Validated. If a man believes that Christ is calling him, he owes … [Read more...]
The Three Degrees of Priesthood
by Metropolitan Hierotheos Vlachos From a study of the sources, chiefly patristic literature, it seems clear that the degrees of priesthood (deacon, priest, bishop) are closely connected with the three basic degrees of the spiritual life. This means that as a man progressed in healing he ascended … [Read more...]
