The Quarterly Journal of St. Philaret’s Institute

This article examines the theological foundations of the general priesthood of the faithful. The analysis identifies three distinct yet interconnected aspects of priesthood within the New Testament: first, the unique priesthood of Christ; second, the universal priesthood of all believers; and third, the sacramental priesthood. The author argues that the general priesthood is fundamentally diffe­rent from the sacramental priesthood. The New Testament establishes a clear distinction between the priesthood of all believers and the hierarchical priesthood. These two dimensions of priesthood are elucidated in the Gospels, the Epistles, and the patristic writings of figures such as Origen, Ambrose of Milan, and Hilary of Poitiers. The sanctification of the faithful is accomplished through the sacraments of initiation — Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist. Through participation in these mysteries, each member of the Church partakes in the gift of the priesthood. The ministry of the royal priesthood is threefold and includes the teaching, sanctifying and royal ministry. The teaching ministry means that all members of the Church are evident in their zeal to know, confess, and defend the salvific teaching through word and deed. The sanctifying ministry of the laity is actualized through their participation in the Church’s liturgical and sacramental life, coupled with the offering of sacrifices of a spiritual nature. The royal ministry of believers is exercised through an ascetical struggle against sin and through cooperation with the ecclesiastical hierarchy in maintaining the good order of church life.