A Seminarian Who Was Not Ordained a Priest
A Seminarian Who Was Not Ordained a Priest
Question
I am a seminarian who obtained a Bachelor’s degree from the Theological Seminary 14 years ago, and I have not been ordained a priest until now. What is my position, and what is the Church’s position toward me?
Answer
My son, a very long period of time has passed without the Church choosing you for priestly ordination. Why? Most likely because they do not feel your presence in the ministry. If you had a strong service in teaching, or in visitation, or in social service, or in the various activities of the Church, they would have nominated you for the priesthood, so that the Church might benefit from your efforts and talents. As St. Paul the Apostle said about St. Mark, “he is useful to me for the ministry” (2 Tim. 4).
As for merely having a theological seminary certificate, this is not sufficient for priestly ordination without active service that is appreciated by everyone.
The Theological Seminary gives you information. But the priesthood is not merely information inside your mind. So, have you used it in teaching? In preaching, in serving Sunday School, in serving the youth at conferences, in seminars at servants’ meetings, in articles that you write, or in guidance for others?!
And were your religious knowledge and information appreciated by those you served and by the listeners? And do they desire to hear you when you stand to teach?
Or have you been content with the theological seminary certificate, considering it a document obligating your ordination as a priest, without practically proving your suitability for ordination?!
Fourteen years, my son, have passed since your graduation without anyone asking for you!! Neither in your church nor in the neighboring churches. The servants did not nominate you, nor did the priests nominate you, nor did the bishop know you, nor did your service nominate you!! All of this as though you do not exist!!
In all of this, do you blame the Church, or do you blame yourself?!
Do you blame the Church because it did not ordain you a priest? Or do you blame yourself because you did not undertake the services that prove your suitability for the priesthood?!
I do not mean service in the field of teaching only. Rather, also in visitation, in deacon’s service, in serving at the altar, and in hymns and praise. Have they ever seen you at a Kiahk vigil keeping up with your fellow servants in the hymns? Or leading the children of the Church in chanting or teaching them a hymn? Have you participated in serving the poor, visiting the sick, or helping the priests with whatever they need from you in work in the Church?
Have you proven your presence as a servant? And as a leading servant.
Did you have a role in the summer activities of the Church? Or in the trips, celebrations, and competitions organized by the Church? Did you participate in all of that, and were you an active, well-liked person with experience? Or were you content with the theological seminary certificate?
Every year, we graduate hundreds of seminarians. Do we ordain all of them as priests? Or those whom the people choose, sensing their effort, competence, suitability for service, and experience….
Also, the seminary provides knowledge. There remain, as well, conduct and relationships.
There may be a person who has much religious knowledge, but is not successful in dealing with others. He is not sociable or cheerful, nor cooperative with others, nor humble in his dealings, nor does he put others before himself. Would such a person be nominated for the priesthood regardless of his talents?!
Here I am, my son, explaining to you the path and the way… and I tell you:
Alongside the academic certificate, we also consider the personality.
With all that this personality entails in terms of attractiveness, activity, experience, success in dealing with others, and influence upon them. “He who wins souls is wise”. And alongside the theological seminary certificate, I will give an example concerning a marriage permission:
A person obtained a marriage permission from the Ecclesiastical Council. Does this permission compel any girl to marry him, or must he possess qualities that satisfy the one whom he approaches for marriage?
The permission of the Ecclesiastical Council is not sufficient if the person is not suitable? And I say this also with regard to the Theological Seminary, and to monasticism in priestly ordinations. From monasticism we choose those who are to be ordained bishops. But is every monk suitable to be a bishop? Likewise, is every seminarian suitable to be a priest?
Therefore, my son, do not think that theological study alone is sufficient.
And even with regard to knowledge, it is not right for you to be content with what you studied at the seminary, for knowledge grows day by day. You should therefore also grow in your knowledge.
Read continually and study. Do not stop at the limits of what you received fourteen years ago, without adding or increasing.
For better translation support, please contact the center.
