What is a priest? We must begin by purifying ourselves before
purifying others; we must be instructed to be able to instruct, become light to
illuminate, draw closer to God to bring Him close to others; be sanctified to
sanctify; lead by the hand and counsel prudently.
I know whose ministers we are, where we find
ourselves and to where we strive. I know
God's greatness and man's weakness, but also his potential.
The priest is the defender of truth, who
stands with angels, gives glory with archangels, causes sacrifices to rise to
the altar on high, shares Christ's priesthood, refashions creation, restores it
in God's image, recreates it for the world on high and, even greater, is divinized and divinizes.
St. Gregory of Nazianzus