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{{Template:Clergy}}
The '''''Presbyter''''' is the second (of three) degree of the [[major orders]] of [[clergy]] in the [[Orthodox Church]], below [[bishop]] and above [[deacon]]. The word 'presbyter' is, in the [[Bible]], a synonym for ''[[bishop]]'' (Gr: επίσκοπος - ''episkopos''), referring to a leader in local Church congregations. In modern usageHowever, since at least the second century, it is has been understood as distinct from ''bishop'' and synonymous with '''''priest'''''. Its literal meaning in Greek (Gr: πρεσβύτερος - ''presbyteros'') is "elder."
==Ordination==
Through the sacrament of [[ordination|holy orders]], an ordination of a deacon to the priesthood is performed by the bishop. But this requires This is done during the consent of Divine Liturgy, immediately following the whole people of GodGreat Entrance, so at a point showing that the newly-ordained priest is to be involved in the service, the [[consecration. The congregation]] will acclaim the his ordination by shouting [[Axios]]! (''He he is worthy!). ==Vestments==The full vestments of the priest are the sticharion, the epitrachili (stole), the belt, the epimanikia (cuffs), and the phelonion - when not serving at Liturgy, a priest may wear fewer vestments, but at least his stole. The sticharion is a long-sleeved tunic, worn by all degrees of clergy, that reaches all the way to the ground. It reminds the wearer that the grace of the Holy Spirit covers him as with a garment of salvation and joy. It has sleeves that are designed to be tucked under the cuffs, unlike those of deacons (and minor orders) which are heavier and designed to be worn over the cuffs. The epitrachili (stole - lit. 'around the neck')is the principal vestment of a priest, and without it he cannot serve. The epimanikia (cuffs) are worn around the wrists, tied by a long cord, and are also worn by bishops and deacons. They serve the practical purpose of keeping the inner garments out of the way during the services. They also remind the wearer that he serves not by his own strength but with the help of God.
==Duties==
A priest ministers to the people of God in the stead of the bishop. This includes:
*Celebrating the Divine Liturgy;*Celebrating services of the daily cycle (e.g. matins, vespers, etc);
*Celebrating baptisms, marriages, funerals and any sacraments of the Church.
Usually, a priest will
*Hear confessions. In some jurisdictions, this is allowable immediately; in others, being a confessor is something a bishop invites a priest to undertake.
A priest may be assigned as [[proistamenos|rector of a parish]], a position that will include pastoral ministry, preaching and administration; or may be assigned to be an assistant priest, a position that includes helping to shoulder the pastoral responsibilities, as requested by the rector.
It should be noted that a priest's conduct does not inhibit the grace of God acting through them. Christ is the one who gives grace, merely using his ministers as 'conduits' to the people.
===Allowances===
Priests are permitted to wear a cassock; this is done as a sign of his suppression of his own tastes, will and desires, and his canonical obedience to God, his bishop and the liturgical and canonical norms of the Church. Priests are also permitted to wear the exoraso (or ryassa). In the Russian tradition, all priests are able to wear the pectoral cross; in other traditions, all priests are able to wear the kalimafhi in services. In jurisdictions that utilise clergy shirts, priests generally wear a clergy shirt with collar.
During services of the daily cycle, the priest is vested in an exoraso (or ryassa) and stole, and tradition varies as to whether he vests with cuffs, and how often/long he wears the phelonion. During the Liturgy (and when preparing to celebrate the Liturgy), the priest is vested in his full liturgical vestments.
In addition, to complete his duties, the priest is permitted to touch the Table of Oblation, the Altar, and to move through the Royal Doors.
===Restrictions===
==Married and Monastic priests==
Orthodox priests are divided into two distinct groups, [[Marriage|married]] [[clergy]], and [[monastic]] clergy. In the Orthodox Church a married man may be ordained to the priesthood. His marriage, however, must be the first for both him and his wife. He may not remarry , and he must continue in his ministry even if his wife should die.
If a single man is ordained, he must remain celibate to retain his service. This is often done alongside the candidate taking monastic vows, becoming a [[hieromonk]] or priest-monk.
== Contemporary usage practice==
The [[Orthodox Church]] often refers to presbyters in English as ''priests'' (''priest'' is etymologically derived from the Greek ''presbyteros'' via the Latin ''presbyter''). This usage is seen by some Protestant Christians as stripping the [[laity]] of its rightful priestly status, while those who use the term defend its usage by saying that, while they do believe in the ''priesthood'' of all believers, they do not believe in the ''eldership'' of all believers.
The [[presbytera|wife of a priest]] will also have a special title, usually in the language of the jurisdiction of her husband.
===Rankings of priests===
Sacramentally, all priests are equal. However, they are ranked and serve by seniority according to the date of their ordination.
Just as with bishops and deacons, there are distinctions of administrative rank among priests. A non-monastic priest can be bestowed the honour of Archpriest or Protopresbyter, while a monastic priest can be given the honour of Archimandrite or, in the Slavic traditions, Igumen. In the Russian Orthodox Church, an archpriest can be awarded the mitre, making him a Mitred Archpriest.
== Sources ==
