The degrees of priesthood and how they developed
explains in this lecture the degrees of priesthood and their development in the Church since apostolic times, clarifying the role and responsibility of each rank in service, and emphasizing the necessity of full dedication to God’s work in priestly life.
Main Degrees in Priesthood
Pope Shenouda begins by explaining that the Bible mentions three main ranks: bishop, priest, and deacon. The bishop is responsible for pastoral care, the priest for liturgical prayer, and the deacon for service. Therefore, a priest should not be called the pastor of a church, since pastoral authority belongs to the bishop, who receives the pastoral staff from the archbishop or the pope.
Development of the Priestly Order
From the early Church, the bishop of a city was its spiritual leader. As the number of bishops increased, the rank of archbishop appeared, then metropolitan, patriarch, and finally the pope. His Holiness explains the meaning of words such as metropolitan (Metropolis), meaning the owner of the mother city, and patriarch, meaning the father of fathers.
The Duty of Full Dedication
The pope stresses that bishops, priests, and deacons must devote themselves entirely to the service of the Lord, and any worldly occupation contradicts church law. A deacon serving the altar must be fully dedicated and wear the proper clerical vestment.
About Ordaining Deaconesses
He discusses the issue of women’s ordination, explaining that deaconesses are servants but do not serve at the altar. Some ranks given to them concern social or spiritual service outside the sanctuary. He mentions that he ordained deaconesses over fifty years old, fully dedicated to church service only.
Ranks of Deacons
The pope explains the deaconal order beginning with Psaltis (the chanter), then Epideacon (assistant deacon), up to Archdeacon (chief deacon). Each rank has a specific role of organization and service in the church, such as guarding the doors and maintaining order.
The Importance of Church Discipline
He recalls historical examples showing the deacons’ role in protecting the sanctity of the church, including stories from the life of Saint John Chrysostom. He emphasizes that the early Church preserved holiness and order within worship.
The Sacrament of Priesthood and Laying on of Hands
The pope clarifies that the sacrament of priesthood is through the laying on of hands with invocation, and only the bishop can bestow the Holy Spirit. Laying on of hands is not repeated when promoting from priest to archpriest or from bishop to metropolitan.
On Apostolic Tradition
The lecture concludes with the idea of Apostolic Tradition, the practical transmission of faith, teachings, and rituals from generation to generation since the apostles — such as baptism and the Divine Liturgy, which were handed down directly from Christ to His disciples.
Conclusion
The lecture highlights the Orthodox understanding of priesthood as a sacred service requiring humility, obedience, and full dedication. Every rank in the Church works in harmony under the bishop’s guidance, following apostolic and traditional continuity through the ages.
