Priest – The Second Degree of Holy Orders #
Priests are called to celebrate divine services, sacraments, and other liturgical rites. Unlike bishops, they do not have the authority to consecrate churches or ordain others—that is, to perform ordination (khirotonia). A priest is usually assigned to a particular parish and serves as its rector.
Priests bear various titles: some are called presbyters (ierei), others archpriests (protoierei, from the Greek proto- meaning “senior”). Monastics who are ordained are known as hieromonks, igumens (abbots), or archimandrites. These titles signify differences in rank and honorific office, but in terms of the grace of the priesthood, all these persons are equal.
The formal way to address a priest is “Reverend Father”; in common practice, one says “Otche” (Father), and in colloquial speech, “Batyushka”. He is called “father” because he has spiritual children—Christians who come to him for confession. For them, he provides care and offers prayers, just as a natural father would.
The priest is also called presbyter (from the Greek, meaning “elder” or “mature in age”). Church canons stipulate that a man should not be ordained to the priesthood before the age of 30. However, exceptions have occurred both historically and in the present day. Ordination prior to age 30 is allowed in cases of ecclesiastical necessity and when the ordinand has shown spiritual maturity.
Priestly Vestments
As a general rule, each higher clerical rank retains the vestments of the lower rank and adds its own. A priest, like a deacon, wears the stichar, though in the priest’s case it is worn under the outer vestment and is called the podriznik. He also wears the poruchi (cuffs).
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Epitrachil – Instead of the deacon’s orar (stole), the priest wears the epitrachel, a vestment placed around the neck. It is essentially the same as the orar, but folded in half and sewn together. In earlier times, the orar was simply draped without being sewn. The doubled stole symbolizes the priest’s double responsibility.
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Phelon (or riza) – This is the sleeveless outer garment worn over all other vestments. It represents the purple robe that was placed upon Christ during His Passion.
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Belt (Poyas) – This symbolizes the priest’s readiness to serve his pastoral ministry. It is a reminder of Christ girding Himself with a towel before the Mystical Supper.