THE ROLE OF THE ORTHODOX PRIEST IN THE EUCHARISTIC EDUCATION OF THE MEMBERS OF HIS PARISH
THE ROLE OF THE ORTHODOX PRIEST IN THE EUCHARISTIC EDUCATION OF THE MEMBERS OF HIS PARISH

Author(s): Cvetelina Sapundzhieva
Subject(s): Christian Theology and Religion, Social Sciences, Education, Theology and Religion
Published by: Editura Eikon
Keywords: Education; Orthodox pastor; priest; Liturgy; Eucharist; parish; alter; pulpit;
Summary/Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to examine the significance of the role of the Orthodox pastor in the Eucharistic education of the members of his parish. The introduction points out to the edifying importance of worship as well as the principle position of the priest in it. The exposition is presented in two sections. Section One reveals the essential activities of the priest in accordance with the texts of the Holy Scriptures as well as with the writings of some Holy Fathers. In those, both the Old Testament and the New Testament, priests are considered as educators, while the activities of the Holy Apostles are presented as a novel New Testament Christian enlightenment. In Section Two the Orthodox pastor is regarded in two aspects – as a priest serving in the alter and as a preacher at the pulpit. The educative power of the Orthodox pastor as a priest in the altar consists precisely of the fact that he stands at the head of the Divine Service, being a prayer mediator between God and the people worshipping at church. He is the chosen vessel of God's edifying Grace, which affects the human mind, heart and will. Through his sermons, the priest elucidates the substance of the Holy Liturgy and emphasizes the crucial importance of each Christian participating in the Holy Eucharist regularly. The conclusion summarizes the topics reviewed in the paper, one of which pointing out to the fact that the Orthodox pastor should enlighten the members of his parish, most of all through his earnest attempt to help them be embodied into Christ.

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