What are the chief qualities that qualify a believer for priesthood and pastoral service?

It is true love that qualifies the believer for this work. This is why the Lord Jesus confronted St. Peter with the question, “Simon son of Jonah, do you love me? … tend my sheep” (John 21:16). The Lord explained the true meaning, nature, and aim of his apostle’s love for Him. The love that the Apostle Peter had exhibited before the Holy Spirit descended on him was only love according to human understanding. Based on this kind of love he rebuked the Lord so He would not deliver Himself to the cross, pridefully declaring that he was ready to die instead of Christ; but instead he ended up denying and cursing Him before a servant. He then wept bitterly when he realized that his love for the Lord had been worthless.

But when the day of Pentecost came and the disciples and the apostles were gathered in one accord, the Holy Spirit came upon them as tongues of fire (Acts 2:3–4). Peter, like the

1575 St. Basil of Caesarea, Letters 186–368 268 (FOTC 28:256).

1576 St. Basil of Caesarea, Letters 186–368 265 (FOTC 28:245).

1577 St. Basil of Caesarea, Letters 186–368 271 (FOTC 28:261).

1578 See Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty, Pastoral Love (Arabic), 1965.

other apostles, was filled with the Spirit of love which imprinted the image of the true Savior, the Good Shepherd Himself, upon him. This is the divine love they were waiting for, so they could apply these words: “Do you love me? … tend my sheep. ” When the Spirit of love filled them, they became worthy to be apostles, to preach to the whole world, and to tend God’s sheep —human souls, the subject and purpose of His love. Pastoral care is impossible without this Spirit, for He is the “Love” that is at work in the shepherds of His people, whose goal is first and foremost the growth of the shepherds and those whom they shepherd, in love through the Holy Spirit, in the person of the beloved Redeemer.

A shepherd cannot receive the bishop’s staff — the Cross — unless he first puts on the beloved Christ, or else he will be greatly weighed down by the troubles of his congregation, and then becomes a complaining and desperate servant, distressed by the service and its Master, and desiring to flee from it. Some stealthily snatch the mantle of service, and it is no wonder that they become like hired workers or even thieves, but never shepherds. If the servant does not appreciate God’s longsuffering and repent, grace will remove his lampstand, his crown will be given to another, and he will be hastily relegated to the horrible judgment (Ex. 34) that the Holy Spirit has ordained for those who despise His love.

According to St. Basil , the necessary qualities in a candidate for priesthood are:

First: To be a dweller in the house of God who possesses holy zeal. “If some dwell in the house of God, they ought to seek it without envy or stumbling.”¹⁵⁷⁹

Second: To be knowledgeable in the scriptures. “A priest is not to be ordained if he does not know the books well, and specifically the Bible.”¹⁵⁸⁰

Third: His life witnesses to his practical faith , for he says, “He who is chosen to be a bishop should be a chaste man, cheerful, God-fearing, defender of the oppressed and has no favouritism, but always says the truth. He does not fear the wealthy, nor greedy for money, for this sin entices all especially those in this rank.”¹⁵⁸¹

Fourth: Not extravagant in his attire . The bishop should always remember the hungry and naked of his congregation and should not live in luxury.

Fifth: Possesses a fatherly spirit . “The bishop ought to fight for the sake of the truth to the point of death. He ought to be a father for the widows and orphans, adorned with purity to win those who see him. He gently reproaches, is flexible, firm, and seasoned. He must not

1579 Monastery of the Syrians, St. Basil the Great: His Life, Asceticism, and Church Canons (Arabic) (St. Mary’s Monastery (Deir al-Sourian), 2003) Section 3, column 38.

1580 Monastery of the Syrians, St. Basil the Great: His Life, Asceticism, and Church Canons (Arabic) (St. Mary’s Monastery (Deir al-Sourian), 2003) Section 3, column 89.

1581 Monastery of the Syrians, St. Basil the Great: His Life, Asceticism, and Church Canons (Arabic) (St. Mary’s Monastery (Deir al-Sourian), 2003) Section 3, column 38.

be a drunkard, nor should he envy anyone. He must not love gold and should consider all that the world offers as futile. Not a seeker of vainglory and escapes superficial adornments.”¹⁵⁸²

Sixth: Is not unlawfully married and is not remarried . One of the conditions to be a candidate for service, whether priesthood, episcopate, or diaconate, is not having been previously unlawfully married regardless of later repentance (2 Tim. 3:2–6).