How should a priest serve at the altar?

Aaron, the first High Priest from the Old Testament, had glamorous garments and his mantle was adorned along with the rest of the garments, which all symbolized Christ, who is clothed in the holy unblemished Church as His garment. This garment reflects His splendor and He sanctifies it. St. Basil believes that the high priest in the Old Testament wore his priestly garments with little bells and pomegranates of pure gold hanging from them (Ex. 28:33; 39:25) so that whenever he moves, the sound of the bells is heard as a reminder that he is in the presence of the Lord and that it is fitting to share in the praises of the heavenly in great awe and longing to see God and to enjoy His presence in His holy temple. However, in the New Testament, instead of these bells, the priest recites the Psalms to be united with the heavenly in their life of praise .

• a. The golden bells and pomegranates were arranged in order, with each bell surrounded by a pomegranate on its right and left. If the little bells resemble the preaching of the gospel of Christ, then it is fitting for the preachers’ voice to testify of biblical truths without ceasing, entreating God to grant them the fruit of the Spirit (symbolized by the pomegranates).

• b. In the praise of Aaron the priest in the book of Jesus the Son of Sirach, we read: “And He encircled him with tassels, with many golden bells all around” (Sir. 45:9–10). So that when he moves in the Holy Place or in the Holy of Holies, the sound of the little golden bells may be heard, so he may teach his people the importance of praying during work, as he ministers amongst the people and offers worship.

• c. Gold refers to heaven as his ministry, worship, and actions all include a heavenly aspect to them.

• d. St. Basil believes that it is fitting for whoever preaches the gospel to be filled with the fear of God: “A clergyman should not talk in the sanctuary more than what is necessary. Aaron had golden bells attached to his garment, for fear of the angels. For us, at the altar, the Psalms ought to replace the golden bells of Aaron … no one ought to utter a word in the sanctuary or around the altar, but they should rather designate a place outside to eat and to break the bread there. And if they came to place the bread (on the altar) and the youngest divides it, let there be no grumbling among the clergy, nor let anyone watch him who divides. No one is to offend another.”

1542 St. Basil of Caesarea, Regulae brevius tractatae 310.

• e. Concerning this point, I recall how our Fr. Bishoy Kamel used to insist that the newest priest should officiate the liturgy on great feasts and deliver the sermon. He used to deal with these matters with much wisdom and the simplicity of children; things like the seniority of the priests did not concern him too much.