Introduction to the Clergy (Eastern Orthodox)

A quick rundown of the Church hierarchy of deacons, priests, and bishops. What do they do, where do they fit. A LOT is missing here, we aimed to be short but it's one of the longest episodes we have so far. Please talk to a priest for more info!
LINKS:
An article about 'Call no man father': www.oca.org/re...
Our video on the same subject: • Call No Man 'Father'?
Our intro to the Liturgy: • Introduction to the Di...
Orthodox priest, ‪@fr.ajarmus‬, has a lot of excellent content here on KZbin and other sites: / @fr.ajarmus
The ‪@RootsofOrthodoxy‬ channel has a lot of priests speaking: www.youtube.co...
An article about priesthood: orthochristian...
A whole website about clergy: goodguyswearbl...
How to become Orthodox by Bible Illustrated : • How to Become an Ortho...
"You are priests", an amazing video also by ‪@BibleIllustrated‬ : • Homily for the Newly B...
Another article about priesthood: www.oca.org/or...
An article about the Clergy by Fr Alexander Schmemann: www.schmemann....
Support the work of our channel: ko-fi.com/patr...
You can also help us by getting Patristix graphic designs on ALL SORTS of merch at our Redbubble shop: www.redbubble....
Also follow us on social media for cool graphics, pictures and info:
Facebook - / patristix
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[@BibleIllustrated]

Hi clergy, I'm Bojan

[@somerandomguyonyt8766]

Funniest orthodox reader if I don’t say so myself. Happy Saint Xenia day Bojan.

[@PhantomRaider100]

Good to see you here Bojan. 😊

[@huntermunro5003]

A bonus Bojan appearance! 😂

[@jonathanisaacteel2976]

A wild onion has appeared

[@meangreenmememachine2890]

what is it, that is up!

[@huntermunro5003]

Babe wake up, new Patristix just dropped!

[@dimitritriantafyllides682]

Hold on, Hon, got to get the tea brewing!

[@archimandritegregory7730]

The reason for plain chant in reading is to avoid the reader performing or acting out the scriptures.

[@elfipet]

As a member of the Macedonian Orthodox Church, I thank you for clarifying so much about out church. What a rich and exciting Church this is. The singing of the priests is utterly heavenly, and the incense just caps off a memorable spiritual experience.

[@Thhuradshfefnbck]

Please keep our parish in your prayers. We are in great need of a priest

[@theres1500]

Then have you considered Holy Orders? If not you, then who?

[@arthurholmes-brown7104]

Hi guys. Love your work - just bought a mug 😉 I recently attended a Liturgy at the Russian Orthodox Cathedral in London. This is the first time I'd ever seen the entrance of a bishop. Without understanding a single word (of russian) I was moved to tears as his crown and vestments were removed and he humbled himself to the ground before the put back on. I liked that a lot of time was spent on this. It had a vibe of "I''m a repenting sinner like everyone else". It would be great to have an episode on this aspect as most outside the OC only see snapshots of the clergy fully dressed - without participating they miss out on the process of "lowering in order to be lifted by Christ"

[@Patristix]

A very good thing we shall remember to cover in a down-the-road episode on vestments! There's a beautiful symbolism to it as you say. Thanks so much for supporting us and ordering the mug! We processed the order last night. Hope you enjoy it!

[@phpwutz]

i'll suggest that ritual idea to my catholic friends, sounds like a great addition!

[@sathsojourns]

Glory to God for our priests and other clergy!

[@gerardgrywacheski1418]

May God bless all the clergy...Patriarchs, Metropolitans, Archbishops, Bishops, Priests, Deacons, Subdeacons and Readers and may God grant them many years!!

[@ArchangelIcon]

Another fabulous video. This is helpful for Protestants who don't see the need of clergy and don't note their historic Scriptural context.

[@ValidityJ]

God has really blessed my Church. I started with just a Bishop as far as clergy goes. Then we got a Priest & then a Deacon. I'll never forget the energy of that 1st Sunday with all 3 in a Hierarchal Divine Liturgy....you could literally feel God's grace that day. Very fulfilling day, Glory to God. It's been wonderful having all 3.

[@theres1500]

Thank you for including the often forgot minor orders. This really is high quality content. Thank you brother

[@henridib7222]

Haven't watched it yet, but i know it's good somehow.

[@Terri7665]

May God bless and strengthen our clergy 🙏☦️

[@seannhassell9419]

VERY INFORMAL, Thank you❤ and pray for me to join a church soon 🙏🏾

[@drdexter33]

As a recent convert I find your content very helpful in deepening my understanding of the Orthodox faith. Thanks and God Bless...

[@robyngrieve5495]

Thank you very much. The clearest explanation of the roles of the clergy that I've heard to date. God bless! 💙🇦🇺

[@Patristix]

I see our little Aussie flag! Glad it was a helpful episode

[@jonathanreeve7823]

Bro I’m so grateful for these videos. No sugar for me

[@colmwhateveryoulike3240]

Ohh... that helps clear up a niggle for me that is a stumbling stone for some of my protestant friends. OT and NT priest categories. Sometimes they say "but Christ is our only high priest" and I have pointed out "presbyteros" but I never noticed that's not the Greek for OT Levites.

[@mrsnkg7904]

Thank you, v interesting. Lord Jesus Christ Son of God have mercy on me a sinner. 💖🙏

[@meangreenmememachine2890]

based ☦

[@Kolious_Thrace]

In Hellenic🇬🇷 the most correct way to call a priest in presbyter indeed but we also use the terms: Παπάς / papás which means something like father but not with the meaning of having family relationships. He is our spiritual father. From that term the Papal Latins took the term Pope. We also use the term ιερέας / ieréas which is more formal and derived from the term ιερός / ieròs meaning holy. Many people accuse the priest of making money from the church because they use those elaborate clothes, and the golden rods and crowns… They say that Jesus never wore them so why are they wearing them? This is an old tradition from the Byzantine times. This was a symbol of their “status” as representatives of God during the Liturgy. They were wearing Godly Vestments. It would be a nice video to visit a church and an Orthodox priest should explain the pieces of the orthodox vestments and their meaning! It’s also interesting that after all these years we have some symbolisms about the colours. In Hellas🇬🇷 at least, our priests prefer to wear some specific colours in specific days: During festive periods like the 12ams after Christmas or the 40-days after Pascha they wear white and golden vestments. In mourning periods like the 40-days before Pascha they wear black and purple vestments. At the 14th of September, the day we celebrating the Holy Cross they wear green vestments and the day of Theophany (6th of January) they wear blue vestments. It’s not something theological and you cannot find it anywhere in the Bible but it’s like a tradition.

[@Patristix]

We hope to make a video on vestments eventually! So much beautiful meaning to all of it. And it's amazing that we can use colour and design and textiles like that to praise God.

[@colmwhateveryoulike3240]

Yes I think the St Elizabeth Convent channel recently described the evolution of several different vestment colour schemes in different places.

[@lindaphillips4646]

And, of course, since the Orthodox worship services carried many of the traditions from the worship services in the Jewish Temple, to have a liturgy, vestments, candles, incense, etc., made perfect sense. Since the Lord Himself had centuries earlier, proscribed such things.. all to the Glory of God, and for beauty..

[@acekoala457]

One Greek Priest I know and love only let the Mexicans call him Padré.

[@RyanGr33n]

The more of these videos I watch, the most similarities I see between Eastern Orthodox and my own non-denominational Restoration Church background… theologically it’s almost interchangeable, it’s just practical expressions and logistics that make it look different… I struggle to attend Catholic mass due to teachings and practices I can’t agree with, but I feel like I could happily attend an Eastern Orthodox service, even though most people couldn’t tell the difference…

[@tubejim101]

Great talk

[@WilliamDusing]

Thank you!

[@joeskill4663]

Very helpful. I was curious about this topic ..👍🏽

[@sharpy9540]

Heya. Amazing informative video on the clergy. I’m an Orthodox Inquire from a Protestant background. I’m basically convinced about Orthodoxy but my peers are not. What are some biblical evidence for clergy being apart of the church?

[@Patristix]

Basically all members of the clergy are in some way referenced and their jobs outlined in Scripture. But again, rather than arguments on the topic with your peers, it's best to actually make a connection with a priest and a Church community and discuss these kinds of things with them

[@lindaphillips4646]

God, bless. PATRISTIX gave you an excellent answer and suggestion. ☦

[@HomoEucharistica]

If the fact that Apostles ordained the elders for all local churches, that Holy Apostle Paul gives instructions what these people need to be like (which is the main reason why those epistles are seen as later forgery by some scholars), and that Jesus sent seven letters through John to the "seven angels" (i.e. the overseers) of the seven churches in Minor Asia is not enough, I don't know what evidence your peers are seeking... perhaps you could point out that the Scriptures are a part of real history and thus cannot be separated from it. In the sources immediately outside of the Bible (letters of St Ignatius of Antioch etc.) the existence of the clergy is taken as self-evident.

[@lindaphillips4646]

​@@HomoEucharisticaexcellent comment. Self-evident, indeed. I also like your 'name'.

[@zerocool3466]

Great Video and well explained ☦️☦️☦️

[@whitetrim1]

Thanks for sharing!

[@serenasztein5065]

thanks

[@MynameisJohnlol]

Keep up these great videos!

[@thebear194]

You didn't mention "psaletes" or chantor.

[@TheRadChadDad]

☦️☦️☦️

[@Struggling4JesusChrist]

What about archimandrite? I'm confused on where this lands and what it means! If this is your introduction video please do more!

[@Patristix]

An archimandrite is a priest, basically. But within the priesthood and within monasticism there are a few different ranks. So an archimandrite is a priest of higher authority but still lands into the priest category!

[@Struggling4JesusChrist]

@Patristix Thank you. I was wondering why they (Archimandrite that is) can concrete churches but regular priests can't? Ty so much btw

[@protestanttoorthodox3625]

☦️

[@07Mihai07]

I'm not sure if this was already mentioned in the comments, but a MARRIED man can become a Bishop, as long as he is a widower.

[@acekoala457]

A widower or separately living as a Monastic from his spouse. The first Metropolitan of the Orthodox Church in Japan was married when he was Consecrated.

[@christianlesilolo1859]

Could you please make a content about Typica...

[@tepynezeris3580]

@patrstix what is the orthodox stance on Deaconess as you have not touched on that in this video? 🙏☦️

[@acekoala457]

Traditionally the Role of Deaconesses was non-Liturgical and non-Ordained. They would assist in Baptism and Chrismation when Baptism was done in the Nude.

[@IsraelSuperguide]

Can you make a video explaning why priests have beards, long hair and wearing all black? Thanks

[@Patristix]

Not a bad idea! It isn't in the plan at the moment but the request is noted! Cheers

[@huehaiscoville-pope940]

I've heard of some priests being called "Dean" and this seems to relate to a specific role. Could you please explain?

[@acekoala457]

It means they are the most administratively senior Priest at a Cathedral or Diocese. It's administrative not Liturgical.

[@PhantomRaider100]

Is there a historical reason why the priests and/or bishops wear the black cap on their heads? I’ve always wondered why they wore that.

[@ajp642]

Tea time!

[@Patristix]

☕️

[@jamestrotter3162]

I have a question concerning the words bishop, elder, or overseer, and I ask this sincerely and without intending to cause any argument. In 1st Tim. 3 and Titus 1 the qualifications are given for the office of bishop, or elder or overseer. The Greek word used for bishop in 1st Tim. 3 is episcope. In Titus 1:5 the Greek word presbyteros is used and in Titus 1:7 the Greek word episcopos is used for the same office. My question is this. Since the Greek word for priest is hiereus, and that word is not used anywhere in Timothy or Titus, why are the bishops, or pastors of the Church, also called priests, when the New Testament never calls them that? Aren't we all called priests according to 1st Peter 2:4 and 2:9, as well as Rev. 1:6? When, in the history of the Church, did the local overseers or pastors of the Church also begin to be called priests? I really get a lot of good information from your channel and I mean no animosity in my question. God bless.

[@Patristix]

We are all 'hierus', but we are not all 'presbyters' or 'episcopos'. We are meant to be a community and that means having our elders to unite us so we don't become our own mini versions of Christianity. The word priest as we use it in English is directly from presbyter. The word bishop as we use it in English is directly from episcopos. Those original words are still used in Greek and several languages. For more on the intricacies of your question though, I'd definitely recommend a chat with a priest as we're only touching the very basics in our videos! God bless!

[@jamestrotter3162]

@@PatristixI appreciate your answer, and I agree that we are all ' hiereus', and I also agree that we are not all presbyters or episcopos, but I'm having trouble finding where presbyteros was ever used to refer to priest in the New Testament. What is the biblical evidence that presbyter and priest were used interchangeably? God bless you as well.

[@Patristix]

We see the 'priesthood' as being the continued presence of 'presbyters' continuing since the New Testament. When we read 'presbyteros' we literally read 'priest'. Presbyteros is the root word of priest. The words aren't interchangeable, they are the same.This makes more sense in modern Greek perhaps where the word 'presbyter' remains in use for the priests of the Orthodox Church. But again, what we're saying on this channel is the barest introduction. I've heard the discussion at length from scholars and it's outside what we can cover online, so please do take this excellent topic and question to an Orthodox priest.

[@jamestrotter3162]

@@PatristixThank you for taking the time to answer my question. You've been very gracious. God bless.

[@colmwhateveryoulike3240]

​@@jamestrotter3162I may be wrong but I think maybe what you could be missing is that in english, calling presbyteros "priest" isn't the source of confusion, calling Aaron and the OT Hebrew Levites "priests" is. This video just helped click that into place for me anyway, so maybe you've a similar niggle to mine.

[@josephfox9221]

if you get some time can you explain the differences between a metropolitian, archbishop, patriarch?

[@Patristix]

They're basically different levels of management. In the priesthood you will have priests and archpriests, in the diaconate you will have deacons and archdeacons. It's about having an authority structure where each person can refer and connect himself to others.

[@danfsteeple]

In the Greek tradition it goes bishop, metropolitan, archbishop, patriarch. In the Slavic tradition it goes bishop, archbishop, metropolitan, patriarch

[@HomoEucharistica]

I'm not an expert, but I think that "metropolitan" refers specifically the leader of a church of certain town (since in early church every city had their own bishop) or "bishopric". Different bishoprics belong to one certain archdiocese (e.g. The Orthodox Church of Finland), and the head of that church is the archbishop (who is also a metropolitan of his own diocese) as an equal with fellow bishops. The archdiocese is a part of patriarchate that is lead by the patriarch.

[@NoName-xc6cg]

I watched a video where a priest explained that orthodox priests may be married because tradition allowed it. And he cited Peter as an example because he was married in the New Testament. But Peter was a bishop, so how come bishops are not allowed to be married?

[@Patristix]

It's an established practice moreso than a hard rule. The practice changed somewhat as Christianity grew into the 4th and 5th centuries for various reasons. One was that the Church communities were growing enormous. Today a married priest (or an archpriest, who has some bishop-like administrative duties) is dealing with a congregation bigger than some guided by bishops in those early centuries. A bishop will guide several large churches and communities. So in a sense the work of married bishops continue in the form of married priests and archpriests who now do similar duties to those early bishops. With the rise of monasticism and trustworthy monasteries it became widely preferred to have a monastic bishop, who could not be so easily swayed by family issues, that could look after large and far-reaching communities, be a little less swayed about power/position, and give full attention on teaching AND prayer. The workload of most bishops is very intense, and it would be hard on a wife or children, for the bishop to be a father to hundreds of believers.

[@NoName-xc6cg]

@@Patristix thank you for answering

[@archimandritegregory7730]

Technically sub deacons are servers in Hierarchical Liturgies.

[@acekoala457]

Readers and Subdeacons are "Grown Up" Altar Servers.

[@PiotrSenda]

Can a priest become a bishop if he has a wife and children if so what happens to the rest of the family????

[@williamjameslehy1341]

Nope. Orthodox and Eastern Rite Catholic bishops are generally promoted from "hieromonks", i.e. monks who've taken holy orders to become priests. And so they're always celibate.

[@randyhelms224]

do western rite

[@henridib7222]

All black? Priest reference? Suits you well.

[@Patristix]

It seemed appropriate!

[@dimitrisiliadis4939]

An Elder in Greek is not a Priest in English. From a Greek .

[@colmwhateveryoulike3240]

Doesn't Presbyteros mean elder?

[@danfsteeple]

He’s not saying all priests are Γέροντας. He’s saying that Πρεσβύτερος translates to senior, premier, or presbyter in English

[@dimitrisiliadis4939]

What I am saying is that an elder (presviteros) is not the same as pastor, or priest in the New Testament.

[@colmwhateveryoulike3240]

@@dimitrisiliadis4939 How come?

[@tippiergnome8471]

No Pope ☹️

[@Patristix]

Not in the Orthodox Church, no