13 September 2025

St. John Chrysostom wrote his famous ‘On the Priesthood’ as if he were carrying out a dialogue with his friend Basil. He has already been ordained but John is still considering it. He plays a Devil’s Advocate considering why it would be unwise to become a priest.

For example, he fears the criticism of other people. ‘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.’ And he goes on to ask his friend, ‘Are you, then, sending me forth to such a terrible war?’

In this way, John uses a literary technique to expose a myth about ministers. They are not angels but human beings, nay, frail human beings whose faults and failings should not come as a surprise to anyone least of all John Chrysostom.

For this very reason it is a great honour to be called to this ministry. ‘Anyone who considers how much it means to be able, in is humanity, still entangled in flesh and blood, to approach that blessed and immaculate Being, will see clearly how great is the honour which the grace of the Spirit has bestowed on priests.’

The work of priests is this. Just as ‘parents bring us into this life’, he writes later on, a priest brings us ‘into the life to come’. As such, those who are called to this honourable office should live honourable lives. This is no easy matter.

‘He must be dignified yet modest, impressive yet kindly, masterful yet approachable, impartial yet courteous, humble but not servile, vehement yet gentle …’ Can anyone maintain such a balance of virtue without being wholly dependent on the grace of God?