The Pledge of the Newly Ordained Priest
The Pledge of the Newly Ordained Priest
I, the unworthy one… called to the grace of the priesthood upon the holy altar in the Church of … in the district of … in the city of …
I pledge before God, the Lord of lords and the Shepherd of shepherds, before His angels and saints, before my father His Holiness Pope Shenouda III, and before the clergy and all the people:
That I will remain steadfast in the Orthodox faith until my final breath; that I will respect the laws of the Holy Church and preserve her traditions, rites, and teachings.
That I will exert all my effort to teach the people the sound faith, to lead them in a life of holiness and righteousness, and that I myself will be an example to them in every good work.
I pledge to love the congregation, to deal with them with gentleness and wisdom, and to offer myself in visiting the people and caring for them in every way according to my ability; to seek the lost and strive to bring them back; to gather God’s scattered sheep; not to neglect the weak, the fallen, or those who have no one to remember them; to be patient and broad-hearted in dealing with people; and not to have a favored group among them, but to care for all.
I pledge to place the good of the Church above every consideration; to keep away from the love of money and the love of prominence; not to exalt myself over the people nor neglect them; not to burden them beyond their ability; not to command them in anything contrary to the commandment of the Lord; not to reject a repentant who returns; and not to fall short in serving any of them.
I pledge to submit to the headship of the priesthood, represented by His Holiness the Pope Patriarch, with respect and reverence for his partners in the apostolic ministry, the fathers metropolitans and bishops.
I ask the Lord to grant me strength through your prayers, so that I may carry out this serious responsibility and faithfully fulfill all that the noble priestly ministry requires of me.
Pray for me, O my fathers and my holy brothers.
Behold, I make a prostration before you all.
[1] An article by His Holiness Pope Shenouda III, “The Pledge of the New Priest,” published in El-Keraza Magazine on August 29, 1975. [2] With regard to the diocese, this phrase is replaced with: “Before my father, His Grace Anba…”. [3] With regard to the dioceses, the phrase is added: “And partner in the apostolic service, His Grace my father the bishop Anba…, shepherd of this diocese, with my respect and reverence to their partners…”.
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