Priests in the Hellenic/Roman Faith

The history behind the various priesthoods is extensive. Because of this I will avoid a history lesson and talk purely about modern clergy.


First of all I do not and probably never will claim the title of priest or any other religious title. My reasons for this will be illustrated in the following post.


My experiences with those who would call themselves "priest" have been rather lacking. These people are almost always self ordained and severely lacking in experience. Sadly, I've even met a few people who believe that a certificate from the state suddenly makes them the Pontifix Maximus (pretty much a pagan Roman pope). In all reality I spit on those certificates and use them to light my fire to Vesta. The state has no more authority over me and the pagan community than the Ayatollah or Pope. If a prospective pagan wishes to become a clergyman, then they must go through a religious organization of some sort. Only then will they have the authority to make that tinder (the certificate) worth something.


Now I realize that there really aren't many pagan groups out there, and that this denies many worthy people from claiming the title. My answer to this is very simple. If you are a pagan and want to claim a title, but there are no groups around you then start your own. I suggest that you halt your ego and think this through first. Here a few questions you should ask yourself and meditate on for at least two months to a year before starting:

1. Why do I want to become a clergyman?
2. By what authority do I claim this title?
3. Do I have the leadership skills necessary for the job? 
4. Do I have the people skills necessary for the job?
5. Do the Gods back this decision? (use augury)
6. Do I know enough about my religion and deity/deities to function as a proper priest?
7. Will people follow me?
8. Do I have an organized hierarchy and set or rituals prepared to tend to my temple's needs/wants?
9. Do I have the finances necessary to start a temple?
10. Do I have the ability to successfully serve as a representative of my temple and faith?
11. Do I have the time to serve my temple and gods?

There are many more questions and ins and outs you should consider but that list is pretty comprehensive. After your group has gotten to about 7-10 members not including yourself, and has been active for two years, you can think about applying to the state. 

Here is another reason why I don't care for the "clergy" we have running around these days. They tend to be politically charged and on the fringes of politics at that. It's perfectly fine to have an opinion about politics, because almost all of us do. However, if you should voice is privately as a clergyman because you are ALWAYS representing your temple and faith. NEVER should a priest/priestess participate in any political movement that does not directly concern their community, and NEVER should a priest/priestess discuss politics or political figures on any thing public and or dedicated to their temple/faith. It is pure stupidity to do so. You turn away people from opposing political views that wish to learn about your faith/temple. You get involved in the dung slinging of political media. You tarnish your temple, faith, and gods by involving them in petty junk like that. People don't understand that as a clergy member you have to sacrifice certain things. Having a public opinion about politics and candidates is one of those sacrifices. Exceptions to this rule would be things like local community politics. For example, signing a petition to keep a historic building from being torn down, or hosting a peaceful protest against pagan discrimination. 

The discrimination thing brings up a third point I'd like to make. A few "clergymen" I've met become politically hyperactive as a way of self validating their title. These people tend to find discrimination in places where it truly just doesn't exist. I realizes that they are trying to be helpful to the community, but I personally just want them to slow down. When they do this they make all pagans look sue happy and ready to jump down peoples' throats over the tiniest things. In reality this damages the cause of pagan organization more than it helps it. 

Another issue I've seen is that some clergymen can't call it what it is. In other words they claim to represent a faith but they only do it half way. This is because they lack the fundamental understanding of a novice. Please for the love of all that is holy research your religion and practice it for a good number of years before trying to get up and call yourself a priest/priestess. I can guarantee you that if you haven't been an active practitioner for at least five years your understanding is greatly lacking. This is especially the case in those who are coming from a different faith entirely. For example, those coming form Wicca into Hellenism tend to have some very obvious Wiccan undertones. The same goes for any religion. Think of it like prescribed medications. The doctor generally makes you wait a while before he gives you a new medications to try. The reason being is that the first one has to exit your system so it doesn't mix and cause damage. The first religion you were a part of needs time to exit your thought/practice so that way it doesn't mix and muck up the new one. People wanting to become Catholic have to go to school for it and everything. People wanting to become clergy or a member of any faith need to extensively study it before claiming membership or a title. Hell even the Wiccans have their year and a day rule. 

I realize that solo practitioners sometimes wish to serve their deity in a more intimate way and priest/priestess just seems perfect. I've been there too. But I urge others to look at the situation and realize that there are better, more appropriate ways to serve your deity. Begin calling yourself a devotee and incorporate certain practices that bring you closer. I find that setting aside a period of time each day just to meditate on Dionysus helped fill the desire I had to serve Him more. Talk to other about your deity, or take up hobbies that They would approve of. 


Lastly, I'd like to talk about tradition and clergy. There were almost never priests or priestesses who represented every deity in a pantheon. Logically this makes perfect sense. You are a single, mortal human. How can you possibly understand every deity well enough to call yourself a priest/priestess of them? In all honesty you will never understand a single deity completely, let alone a whole host of them. Even the Pontifix Maximus of Rome served only Jupiter.