The cover page of this issue wasn't among the newsletter pages we have, so this page starts on the inside pages.
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In the Coptic Orthodox Church, the ordination of a priest is a moment of profound grace and joy. It's the fulfilment of a divine calling and the continuation of apostolic tradition, in which our church has firm roots.
As the bishop announces the chosen servant before the congregation, the church resounds with the ancient acclamation "Axios!", which means "He is worthy." Surrounded by deacons and clergy, the candidate is vested in the sacred garments of priesthood, each piece symbolising purity, humility and service.
The bishop then lays his hands upon the candidate's head, invoking the Holy Spirit to descend and consecrate him for the ministry of the altar. When the bishop lays his hands on the head of the elected candidate, he does what Christ did with His disciples, so that the Holy Spirit will descend on the priest and grant him a priestly rank.
Through heartfelt prayers, the Church entrusts him with the mysteries of God: to shepherd His flock, to forgive sins, to partake in and administer the Holy Sacraments, and to serve in God's ministry.
At the altar
After the ordination, the new priest enters the altar with his right foot first, prostrates before the altar, stands and kisses the cross and the hand of the bishop, then stands at the right of the altar.
The bishop starts the prayer of the Liturgy and allows the new priest to take part in the liturgical prayers. At the altar, the newly ordained priest joins in the consecration for the first time, lifting his heart before the Body and Blood of Christ. As he gives his first blessing, the congregation bows in reverence, rejoicing in heaven's gift to the Church.
At the recitation of the last confession in the Liturgy, expressing the Orthodox faith in Christ's nature, incarnation and redemption, the bishop invites the new priest to join him. The priest washes his hands while the bishop holds the Holy Body in his palms. The priest places his hands around the bishop's, and together they recite the confession, sentence by sentence.
This moment symbolises the bishop handing down the true faith in Christ: His incarnation, sacrifice, and the mystery of salvation through His Body and Blood. The new priest then partakes of the Holy Body and Blood.
After Communion, before drinking the dismissal water, the bishop breathes on the new priest, saying, "Receive the Holy Spirit," echoing Christ's words in John 20:22–23. Through this, the priest receives authority to forgive sins, bless, teach and officiate the Sacraments by the Holy Spirit's power.
After the Liturgy, the deacons lead a joyful procession with the new priest, dressed in white, holding the cross and candle in his right hand and the Gospel in his left: symbols of blessing, light, and the call to teach and sacrifice for his flock.
Finally, the bishop blesses the black priestly garments and hat, dressing the new priest as a sign of his priestly crown and honour. After receiving congratulations, the priest retreats to a monastery for forty days of fasting and prayer, following the example of the apostles after Pentecost.
At the monastery, the newly ordained priest receives the rites of the Liturgy and the other Sacraments. He learns the Liturgy and partakes in it daily; he receives the sacrifice, then prays daily Liturgies to practise praying it well.
The benefit of the fasting and prayers during the retreat is to stir and kindle the gift of the priesthood and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in the new priest, as St Paul advised: "Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands" (2 Timothy 1:6).
After the forty days, a delegation from the church goes to the monastery to bring their new priest to the church where he will be serving, at the time of Vespers. The Rite of Reception of the new priest is performed, where he receives his church and service, to serve with righteousness, zeal and enthusiasm for the salvation of the souls of his congregation.
The institution of the priesthood
This sacrament was instituted by our Lord Jesus Christ when He chose the twelve disciples and consecrated them for ministry: "He called His disciples to Himself; and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles" (Luke 6:13).
Jesus sent out His disciples and commanded them: "As you go, preach, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons" (Matthew 10:5–8).
He gave them the authority of absolution and binding, saying, "Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven" (Matthew 18:18).
He said to the disciples, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you" (Matthew 28:19–20), creating the framework of this ancient sacrament.
It is important to note that in the Coptic Church no one takes this honour upon himself; this honour is granted and given by God, just as He granted the honour to Aaron. Likewise, Christ did not glorify Himself to become High Priest, but the Father said to Him, "You are My Son, today I have begotten You," and also, "You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek" (Hebrews 5:4–6).
Poem
The beautiful hands of a priest
We need them in life's early morning, We need them again at its close; We feel their warm clasp of true friendship, We seek them while tasting life's woes. When we come to this world we are sinful, The greatest as well as the least. And the hands that make us pure as angels Are the beautiful hands of a priest.
At the altar each day we behold them, And the hands of a king on his throne Are not equal to them in their greatness; Their dignity stands alone. For there in the stillness of morning, Ere the sun has emerged from the east, There God rests between the pure fingers Of the beautiful hands of a priest.
When we are tempted and wander To pathways of shame and sin, 'Tis the hand of a priest that will absolve us, Not once but again and again. And when we are taking life's partner, Other hands may prepare us a feast, But the hands that will bless and unite us Are the beautiful hands of a priest.
God bless them and keep them all holy, For the Host which their fingers caress; What can a poor sinner do better But to praise Thee who chose thee to bless? When the death dews on our eyes are falling, May our courage and strength be increased To see, raised above us in blessing, The beautiful hands of a priest.
This poem was passed down orally in Ireland. Around 1963 it was given by Fr Crowley of Dunsallagh to the Clare singer Tom Lenihan, who recorded it in song. It can be found in The Mount Callan Garland: Songs from the Repertoire of Tom Lenihan of Knockbrack, Miltown Malbay, County Clare, by Tom Munnelly and Marian Deasy.
