It is impossible to imagine the performance of a divine service in an Orthodox church without the ministry of a priest. However, the elders of the Orthodox Church not only lead the church service, but with their conversations and advice they help people in their everyday as well as spiritual matters. Many may wonder how in a private conversation it is worth contacting a priest.
In the Orthodox Church, apostolic reception is preserved, expressed in one of the seven sacraments, namely, in the ordination to the priesthood. Through the laying on of hands by the bishop (which may be a bishop, archbishop, metropolitan, or even the patriarch himself), a special divine grace descends on the head of the protege. From the time of ordination to the priesthood, the presbyter of the Church may perform the ordinances established by the Church, as well as other sacraments. Therefore, the attitude of the laity to the priest is very reverent.
In a private conversation, an Orthodox priest can be addressed in various "ways." The most widespread is the address "father", which reflects the people's love for their pastor, respect for the holy order and a person's remembrance that a priest is a spiritual mentor, a father for his flock. Such an appeal is especially appropriate when the believer does not know the name of the priest (for example, a person has entered a church in another city, etc.). Another address, which may not use the name of the clergyman, is "father."
When a person knows the name of a priest, it is quite appropriate to refer to the latter by name. It should be noted that in this case the name of the priest is pronounced according to the church pronunciation with the "prefix" "father". For example, "Father Sergius" (not "Father Sergei"), Father John (and not "Father Ivan").
There is another practice of addressing an Orthodox priest, which is used more often at official events, conferences or other similar meetings. So, the priest can be addressed as "Your Reverend" or "Your Reverend". It is worth considering that the priests of the Orthodox Church, depending on the length of service or awards, have the rank of priest, archpriest, and for the monastic clergy - hieromonk, abbot or archimandrite. The address "Your Reverend" befits priests and hieromonks, while archpriests, abbots and archimandrites should be addressed "Your Reverend".
