The priesthood is not something that we often think about.   This is the case whether we think about the office itself and what it entails or the experiences of the priests themselves, or whether we even think about becoming priests ourselves.

St. John Chrysostom thought about all these things before becoming a priest.  The result of that thinking is the valuable book On the Priesthood.  The page numbers listed below correspond to the Popular Patristics Series edition from St. Vladimir’s Seminary.

Mosaic of St. John Chrysostom from Hagia Sophia

How is this book set up?

This book was written around 381 AD when Chrysostom was a monk and had been called along with a friend named Basil (not St. Basil the Great) to the priesthood.  He told his friend that he would go with him to be ordained; he lied.  He never showed up while his friend Basil was ordained a bishop.

Basil came back to him and told him, “Do you know how much harm you have done?  Do you realize, even now after striking me, how deadly is the blow you have dealt?” (46)  Basil said this because of the immense reverence these two had for the priesthood and because of the conviction that one could not afford to mess up in this ministry because it is the ministry that looks after the sheep of Christ.

The book from that point on is a dialogue between Basil and John on the priesthood and what to expect in it.

The contents of this book are extremely beneficial and practical whether one is about to become a priest, or about to become a parent, is serving in any type of educational ministry at church, is a teacher (even in a public school), or wants to truly understand what goes into the priesthood.

Benefit # 1: John provides a piercing gaze into the qualifications and hardships of the ministry

Chrysostom knew what was in the hearts of people, and he had such a penetrating mind that he could understand things even when he had not personally experienced those things as is evident in his writings On Marriage and Family Life.

Qualifications

Chrysostom begins by telling Basil the qualifications of the priest, which he ranks as a heavenly ministry: “The priest, therefore, must be as purse as if were standing in heaven itself, in the midst of those powers” (68).

This is not something light and requires the priest to be watchful of his own soul and those of his congregation at all times and be always in prayer for himself and for his congregation.

Chrysostom encourages and warns Basil to be wise: “The shepherd needs great wisdom and a thousand eyes, to examine the soul’s condition from every angle” (58).

Equipped with this perspective and angles of view, the priest should not simply order Christ’s sheep around like a boss because “In the case we are considering it is necessary to make a man better not by force but by persuasion… since God gives the crown to those who are kept from evil, not by force but by choice” (36).

Christians who are Christians only under compulsion are not true followers of Christ.  John, rather, understands the reality and wants Basil to truly raise Christians and not those who are just so while compelled to be.

Also, here is an example of how this book can be applied in our lives even if we are not priests.  If you are a parent with a child who is growing up in a Western country where your child has the ability to do whatever he or she wants even if you do not approve and even if not it is not acceptable for a Christian, we cannot simply tell them not to do things, but we should persuade them.  If we persuade our children, then it will not be easy for them to fall into sin because they will be thinking of Christ when think about doing any type of action.

This has also been applicable in my profession as a teacher.  Most of my students do not come motivated to learn, so I regularly and consistently explain to them the benefits of having a good education which include having good judgment, clear communication, deeper relationships, and a well-ordered life.  I also paint the future for them and show them what is likely to happen if they do not have a good education, and this significantly raises the motivation of my students because they understand that they have two options in front of them and they choose the better one.  Persuasion goes infinitely farther than any compulsion can because it creates internal motivation in people, and that motivation is not easily shattered.

There are many other qualifications Chrysostom gives Basil, but this is a review, and it would take too much time to write about every specific qualification.  To know the rest, I highly recommend you read the book which you can get by clicking here.

Hardships

Quite frequently, Chrysostom warns Basil about the hardships of the priesthood saying, “More billows toss the priest’s soul than the gales which trouble the seas” (77).

He tells Basil how people will criticize priests saying that they only care about and hear the rich people in their church, or they only care about those coming from important families, or those that give them money.

He included and expanded on all the following criticisms including those that actually happened with priests: vainglory, anger, depression, envy, strife, slanders, accusations, lying hypocrisy, feeling happy when other priests fail, or feeling sad when they are successful, greed for preferment, teaching meant to please, flattery, contempt for the poor, pretending to be humble, and failure to scrutinize and rebuke.

In addition, he says, “Everyone stands round him ready to wound him and strike him down, not only his enemies and foes, but many of those who pretend to love him” (86).

“Everyone wants to judge the priest, not as one clothed in flesh, not as one possessing a human nature, but as an angel, exempt from the frailty of others” (86).  And this is a bit ironic because John ranks this ministry as a heavenly one.

This is truly where Chrysostom’s uncanny ability to understand others even without much personal experience comes into play.  It is like he saw what goes on in our time and wrote about it.  This book might as well have been written yesterday based on observations made in the 21^st Century.  That’s what one would think if you removed the title and author and did not tell him where this was coming from.  Such is the timelessness and relevance of this book.

You can get a copy here.

Benefit # 2: John helps us think about how we should approach ministry

Among the many ways of thinking about the ministry, Chrysostom is excellent at stirring up fear in his listeners, but not fear of the ministry, but fear of failing with God’s sheep.

One of the most distinctive features of the book is how John terrifies his readers of what the priesthood requires (it is actually his fear as he later explains) and what will happen to us if we fail at this ministry whether intentionally or unintentionally.  I even heard a wise priest who is well read in the Church Fathers talking about this book.  He said that if he had read this book before becoming a priest, he would not have become a priest.  Now I know why he said that; John does not allow for any excuses among those who fail in the priesthood.  They will all be judged for their failure.

Indeed, John writes, “A man who loses sheep through the ravages of wolves or the attacks of robbers or through murrain or some other accident, might perhaps meet with a measure of pardon from the owner of the flock.  Even if he is called upon to pay compensation, the penalty stops at money.  But anyone entrusted with men, the rational flock of Christ, risks a penalty not of money but of his own soul for the loss of the sheep” (54).

He gives several examples from the Scriptures and from real life to argue why failing in ministry will not be overlooked for any reason.

Example 1: Saul the King

A priest may not have asked for the priesthood.  He may find excuses and think because he did not ask for it, then he will not be judged.  But, Chrysostom says, the Scriptures have showed us such a man, Saul the King, and he was fully judged because it does not matter whether he asked to be the king, and whether he wanted to be the king; God put the responsibility in his hands, and he was not faithful nor effective with it.

Example 2: Moses the Prophet

The great man of God Moses, with God working mightily through him, did not enter into the Promised Land because he did not obey God’s command to speak to the rock to bring forth water and thus hallow God, but he struck it twice instead.

Example 3: A builder

One who has no experience in building should not accept the job to build something because if he does and the building falls, coming up with the excuse, “The people chose me!  I did not ask for this!” will not save him from judgment.  The same is true with priests.

So, what’s the solution?  Chrysostom says, “First you must test your own soul, and when you have thoroughly investigated every part of it, then and then only should you give way to their [those calling you to the priesthood] constraint…Will he, despite his utter lack of experience, accept the ministry because this man commands him and that man constrains him, or for fear of offending yet another?” (109-110)

Benefit # 3: John gives us a model of literary beauty

John received the title “Chrysostom” (which means “Golden Mouth”) not only because of what he said, but how he said things.  This is evident from any of his numerous works which still exist today; he has such a way with words.

If you want to get better at public and inspirational speaking, then read his books (along with St. Augustine’s as well).  The amount of imaginative similes and metaphors as well as compelling analogies these authors use will help make you a better speaker, listener, and thinker.

Some examples include the following:

“The priest’s soul must be purer than the rays of the sun” (137).

“The soul of the priest ought to blaze like a light illuminating the world” (141).

“Making a list of difficulties involved [in the priesthood] is like trying to measure the ocean” (149).

These are just three of countless uses of figurative language in this book, but they get the point across.

I cannot begin to tell you how reading the Fathers has made me a much better teacher due to my adopting their style of speaking and thinking.  It has made my students more engaged and more thoughtful as well.  Now imagine applying that style with your own children at home or in your youth ministry at church, or if you are a priest, with your congregation, that is, the sheep of Christ.

The Conclusion of the Book and What We Must Do Today

Perhaps the most interesting part to the conclusion is that John does not comfort Basil except by telling him that he will pray for him and help him in his ministry to the best of his ability.

It is better to see how he worded it himself:

“What can I offer?  How can I help you to carry so heavy a burden?  And yet, since such is your desire, take courage, my dear friend, for whenever it proves possible for you to have a respite from the cares of your office, I will come to your side and encourage you, and nothing shall be left undone that lies within my power.”

That is what we all should do for all of our priests.  These are the men carrying the most important ministries in our churches.  We often criticize them, disregard them, but they are often trying their best in ministering our churches and feel the weight of the world on their shoulders.  The least they need is that we who are close to them be among their judges.  Many of us have talents that can significantly help them carry out their ministries more effectively.  We need to help them as John promised to help Basil, and we will have stronger churches, and stronger followers of Christ, and then we will bring the love of Christ and His kingdom to this world, and we will shine upon the mountains on which we stand, and the world will glorify our Father who dwells in Heaven.

Click here to get On the Priesthood by St. John Chrysostom.

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