Priest facts for kids
A priest or priestess is a person who is allowed to lead religious ceremonies and rituals. Their job or role is called the priesthood. This word can also mean all priests together. Throughout history, in many different religions and cultures, there have been priests. They might have different names and follow different rules, but their main role is to help people connect with their faith.
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Priests in Christianity
In Christianity, a priest is a special member of a church. They are chosen to guide and care for their religious community. Often, a priest is the leader of a specific church area called a parish.
How Christian Priests are Chosen
Different Christian churches have different ways of choosing their priests:
- In the Catholic Church, priests are ordained. This means they are officially put into their role by the Pope or a bishop.
- Orthodox priests are ordained by a Patriarch, who is a very high-ranking bishop.
- Anglican priests are ordained by their local bishop.
- Many Protestant groups do not use the term "priest." Instead, they often have ministers or pastors.
To become a Catholic priest, a person usually needs to study Theology, which is the study of religious faith. Orthodox and Protestant churches also have leaders who are part of the clergy.
Marriage and Priests
Rules about marriage for priests vary among Christian denominations:
- Catholic priests are not allowed to marry. They must remain unmarried, which is called celibacy.
- Orthodox priests can be married, but they must be married before they become a priest. They cannot marry after their ordination.
- Anglican priests can get married either before or after they become a priest.
Women as Priests
The Catholic Church does not allow women to become priests. However, some Anglican Churches do allow women to be ordained as priests.
Higher Ranks in the Priesthood
In some Christian churches, there are higher ranks for priests:
- In the Anglican Church, higher priests are called Bishops and Archbishops. For example, the Archbishops of York and Canterbury are important leaders.
- The Orthodox Church has a very high priest called a Patriarch.
- The Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria also has a Pope, similar to the Roman Catholic Church.
Protestant Ministers
Many Protestant churches use the terms "minister" or "pastor" instead of "priest." These leaders guide their congregations and lead worship services.
Priests in Other Religions
Priests are found in many religions around the world, not just Christianity.
Priests in Japan
In Japan, you can find different kinds of religious leaders:
- Buddhist priests and nuns.
- Shinto priests and priestesses, who serve in Shinto shrines.
- There are also Christian clergy in Japan.
Images for kids
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A vajracharya, a Newar Buddhist priest
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Bronze statue of an Egyptian priest from the 6th century BCE
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A Vestal Virgin priestess from Ancient Rome
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Priestly Blessing gesture on a mosaic in a synagogue
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An Eastern Orthodox priest in Mtskheta, Republic of Georgia
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A married Eastern Orthodox priest from Jerusalem with his family around 1893
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An Anglican priest in choir dress
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A Lutheran priest of the Church of Sweden preparing for Mass
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An 1898 picture showing the Restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood
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A fortune-telling Taoist priest with a customer
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Shinto priest and priestess in Japan
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A Wiccan priestess preaching in the United States
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Religious clergy wearing special clothing
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See also
In Spanish: Sacerdote para niños
