О Священстве
The Nature and Calling of the Priesthood
The priesthood is a divine sacrament established by the Holy Spirit to shepherd Christ's flock through stewardship of the mysteries.
What is the Priesthood? The Priesthood is a Sacrament in which the Holy Spirit, through episcopal ordination, appoints a properly chosen candidate to administer the Sacraments and to shepherd Christ's flock. "Let everyone regard us as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God" (1 Cor. 4:1). "Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of the Lord and God, which He purchased for Himself with His own blood" (Acts 20:28).
The Ministry of Shepherding
Shepherding the Church involves the active instruction of the faithful in faith, piety, and good works.
What does it mean to shepherd the Church?✦ To shepherd the Church is to instruct people in the faith, in piety, and in good works.
The Three Degrees of Holy Orders
The priesthood is organized into three distinct degrees—bishop, presbyter, and deacon—each with specific sacramental responsibilities and authority.
How many necessary degrees of the priesthood are there? There are three degrees of the priesthood: bishop, presbyter, and deacon. What is the difference between the levels of the priesthood? The deacon assists at the Sacraments (without performing them); the presbyter performs the Sacraments while remaining under the bishop; the bishop not only performs the Sacraments, but also has the power to impart to others, through the laying on of hands, the grace-given gift of performing them. Regarding episcopal authority, the Apostle Paul writes to Titus: "For this reason I left you in Crete, so that you might finish what was left unfinished and appoint presbyters in every city" (Tit. 1:5). And to Timothy: "Do not lay hands on anyone hastily" (1 Tim. 5:22).
Read the original Latin
Что такое Священство? Священство есть Таинство, в котором правильно избранного кандидата Святой Дух посредством епископского рукоположения поставляет совершать Таинства и пасти стадо Христово. «Каждый должен разуметь нас, как служителей Христовых и домостроителей таин Божиих» (1Кор. 4:1). «Внимайте себе и всему стаду, в котором Дух Святый поставил вас блюстителями, пасти церковь Господа и Бога, которую Он приобрел Себе кровию Своею» (Деян. 20:28).
Что значит пасти Церковь? Пасти Церковь – наставлять людей в вере, благочестии и добрых делах.
Сколько необходимых степеней Священства? Степеней священства три: епископ, пресвитер и диакон.
Какое различие в степенях Священства? Диакон сослужит при Таинствах (не совершая их); пресвитер совершает Таинства, пребывая в подчинении епископу; епископ не только совершает Таинства, но имеет власть и другим через рукоположение преподавать благодатный дар совершать их. О епископской власти апостол Павел пишет Титу: «Для того я оставил тебя в Крите, чтобы ты довершил недоконченное и поставил по всем городам пресвитеров» (Тит. 1:5). И Тимофею: «Рук ни на кого не возлагай поспешно» (1Тим. 5:22).
Scripture echoes
- ↩Acts.20.28 — Keep watch over yourselves and over the whole flock, in which the Holy Spirit has placed you as overseers, to shepherd the church of God, which he obtained through the blood of his own.
Catechism of the Orthodox Church (Longer Catechism) companion
Rule yourself daily, not just on retreat
Chosen Portion turns the mirror into a daily practice — a short reading and examining question each morning before you lead anyone.
Chosen Portion makes the mirror daily: the ruler-formation questions this collection preserves become a two-minute morning examination in the app.
- A daily formation reading drawn from centuries of counsel to those in authority
- One pointed examination question a day — two minutes, before the meetings start
- Track your practice over weeks and watch the examined life become a habit