Having a Greek Orthodox church priest is a very important part of being part of the Christian community. This is because the clergy is responsible for teaching and preaching the Christian religion to the members of the congregation. The pastors, priests, and bishops are expected to have a high level of knowledge of the Bible, church doctrines, and the church history. They are also responsible for conducting the services.
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Symbols
Among the symbols of a Greek orthodox church priest are the sakkos, the phelonion, and the epigonation. The sakkos is a tunic-length garment with wide sleeves and is normally decorated with a cross on the back. It is usually fastened with buttons. It has ribbons and bells attached to it.
The phelonion is a vestment worn by all ordained clergy in the Orthodox Church. It is a diamond-shaped piece of stiff cloth. It represents the shield and sword of the Spirit. It is used by priests during services and is also worn at the side of the bishop. It is worn near the knee and hangs low in the back.
The epigonation is a symbol of the Word of God. It is a diamond-shaped piece, like a sword, that symbolizes the spiritual sword that enables a priest to serve God.
Vestments
During the Divine Liturgy, a priest is required to wear vestments. These are pieces of cloth which have special meaning for every clergyman. They serve as religious uniform and symbol of authority within the Church. These garments are made of fine quality materials. They help clergy create icons of Christ and the Church. These clothing items are worn in a variety of ceremonies.
The bishop’s stole is a piece of cloth that is usually made of wool. It serves to remind the clergyman to remain pure and upright in their spirit. It also represents the shepherd’s responsibility for the flock. The stole is usually topped with a cross. It can be plain or embroidered. It is usually about 4 inches wide and can be decorated with jewels.
Duties
Throughout the Orthodox Church, the clergy is in charge of the spiritual needs of the people. Priests also administer sacraments and teach others about the Orthodox faith. They are given a high degree of honor by the Orthodox Church.
The Greek Orthodox Church has three main clerical officers. They are bishops, presbyters, and deacons. Each of these ranks has different duties.
Firstly, bishops have the authority to ordain priests and deacons. However, they are not considered to be infallible. Despite this, they still have authority to teach the Orthodox faith and maintain its truth.
In fact, the New Testament describes the role of the bishop. The word “bishop” comes from the Greek word episkopos, which means overseer.
In addition, bishops have the power to ordain other bishops. The titles of these bishops reflect their seniority.
Clergy vs theologians
Those ordained in the Orthodox church have many responsibilities and are expected to perform these duties faithfully. Traditionally, candidates for the priesthood were supervised by their bishops. Today, many clerics are trained at seminaries.
The clergy are recognized and given considerable honor by the Orthodox Church. In fact, they have a special place in the litanies. They are entrusted with certain tasks, including granting communion to the congregation. The clergy are also expected to work with the laity. Often they will be found working in hospitals, nursing homes, or outside houses of worship.
There are three main orders of clergy. These include hieromonks, archdeacons, and priests. Each order is distinguished from the others. There are also major orders, which include protopresbyters, archimandrites, and bishops.
Addressing clergy
Whether you are a clergy member or a parishioner, it is important to know how to address the clergy of the Greek Orthodox church. This may seem like a daunting task, but there are a few things you can do to help you.
The first thing you should do is make sure you are not mixing the names of different clergy in your correspondence. It is not uncommon for the clergy of the Greek Orthodox church to be addressed by a variety of titles and first names.
It is important to remember that the proper way to address the clergy is not only to say ‘hello’, but also to formally thank them. While many people say ‘May God bless you’, it is best to use the proper salutation.
