#Priesthood

[cillivnz]

𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑺𝑨𝑪𝑹𝑨𝑴𝑬𝑵𝑻

[𝘬𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘯𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘮𝘪]

PAIRING — PRIEST!NANAMI KENTO x NUN!READER

SYNOPSIS — you shift across continents hoping to leave all behind that drifted you apart from the Lord, only to catch the sole reason of your departure waiting for you patiently, with a rosary in one hand and his cock in the other.

WORD COUNT — 2878

WARNINGS — NSFW. MODERN AU. OOC!KENTO (kinda). RELIGIOUS IMAGERY, THEMES & RELIGION IN GENERAL. BLASPHEMY, sacrilege, impure thoughts, cursing, sins & sinning, sex in a church, indecent use of the confessional, DUBCON. oral (m! receiving), fingering, clit-play, biting, nipple/breast-play, unprotected and penetrative sex (p! in v!), overstimulation, against a wall (?), voyeurism, degrading. NANAMI HAS A GOD COMPLEX. there is repetitive mentions of religious themes throughout the smut, from praying to other things.

A/N — GOOD GOD. i’m asking you all for forgiveness, but i needed to do this. i intended it for leon kennedy but something in me snapped and i changed it to a nanami kento fiction, WHICH IS WHY THERE IS MENTION OF A CHRIS REDFIELD, i was too lazy to change it and also i didn’t want to incorporate too much from the JJKverse, so we’ll just leave Redfield at that.

i am NOT anti-religion, this is a common fantasy and i just wished to try my hand at this sinister trope. please refer to the warnings and DO NOT PROCEED if anything mentioned makes you uncomfortable. apologies in advance for any inaccurate detail written. not proofread.

art credits — unknown [pinterest]

LISTENING TO: ‘THE SACRAMENT’ — HIM

[therefore the title].

𝐌𝐎𝐕𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐓𝐎 𝐓𝐎𝐊𝐘𝐎 𝐖𝐀𝐒𝐍’𝐓 𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐘, but you knew the Lord only wanted what was best for you, and so a new chapter in your life had begun.

A woman above materialism, you leave with only your bible and habit, but of course, you carried the last memory of your past life— a photograph your Sisters took of you and Father Redfield from your hometown, the church you had sworn celibacy to, near the Arklay Mountains.

You loved Chris— Father Redfield, the way you’d love the angels of the almighty, but at times this love prevented you from preaching, causing you to often ponder on your style of living, and the fact that doubt settled in your god-driven mind became the primary reason why you decided to move away, all the way to Tokyo.

Your feelings for Father Redfield made you question your vows to chastity, and you knew at once you needed to get away. So, you left the mountainous foliage at once and settled for the noisy city.

Upon arriving, you were welcomed by a ‘Sister Nobara”, with a soft face and piercing gaze, but none that lingered.

She walked you through the large and lonely halls of the massive church. The infrastructure of your hometown’s place of worship couldn’t compare to Tokyo’s, perhaps the difference in population was the reason why.

Throughout the walk to the nave, you felt an ominous sense of being watched— no, preyed upon, but you and your naïveté blamed it on your nerves. It worsened while you said your prayers, seeking forgiveness for the note on which you left: that doubt and urgency to succumb to hellish pleasures with the priest that couldn’t even reciprocate a smile back to you.

“Ah, there comes Father Kento,” Sister Nobara interrupted the last of your calls to the Lord, the one where you beseeched to attain enough strength to never succumb to lust. You quickly muttered a, “Amen”, and turned to Nobara. You looked at her for a brief moment, before your gaze followed hers and landed on the most devilishly handsome man you had ever seen.

Hell, you had to leave your home over a man who, now, you realise, isn’t even half as attractive as the man towering over you.

You backed away when the sudden proximity hit you, your subconscious mind immediately associating that eerie feeling in your gut with the presence of this man.

“Hello,” his deep voice broke the silence. “Greetings, Father,” you quickly averted your lingering stare onto the wooden floor. There was a stroke of amusement tainted in his tone, “Sister Nobara tells me you come from the Arklay Mountains.”

“She’s right,” you confirmed, still not eyeing him.

He nodded along, eyes still etched on your face.

“Father, if you could excuse me.” Sister Nobara suddenly spoke, causing you to look up at the departing woman. A “But—” was all you could mutter, before Kento put two-and-two-together and figured you sought out your quarters. “I don’t mind showing you around.”

“If it’s not too much trouble, Father.” You laughed, nervously, obvious to the subtle but definite bite of the Priest’s lower lip at the sound.

“No problem, follow me.”

The walk wasn’t as bad as you’d thought it to be; it was worse.

You couldn’t help but glance repeatedly at the seemingly older, definitely taller and the most handsome man you had ever dreamt of, and the fact that he hadn’t turned to look at you, nonetheless utter a single word, aggravated you.

He gracefully halted, and you knew you’d reached your quarters.

“There we are,” he announced, opening the door to let you in before him.

“It’s not much but—”

“It’s perfect.” You interrupted him with a warm smile, genuinely pleased with where you were to be stationed. Father Kento seemed pleased with your response, the small smile that broke out gave it away.

You instantly got to settling in, not that you had many things to place. Just your clothes, holy books and—

“Who is that?” Asked Father Kento the minute your hand reached for the framed memory.

“Father Redfield from the Arklay Church.” You spoke in monotone.

“Is he why you left?”

You didn’t have to answer.

The way you clutched the photograph tighter gave Nanami Kento all the answers he needed.

“Confessional is always open.”

“𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐅𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐋 𝐈𝐒 𝐀𝐋𝐖𝐀𝐘𝐒 𝐎𝐏𝐄𝐍.” The words rang in your ears, floating in the whirlpool of your disturbed mind throughout supper, and the fact that Father Kento was nowhere in sight was no solace. You decided to say, “Fuck it,” in a god-abiding way, and made your way over to the said confessional.

You step inside the wooden booth, steadying your breath you heard movement on the other side.

“Good evening, Sister.”

“I’m glad you obeyed me.” He said, seemingly in nonchalance, but you could picture a cocky smirk on his handsome face.

“Yes, father,” was all you could muster up.

“Tell me what’s on your mind.” He said so casually, yet compelling enough to get you to open up.

“You were right, Father Kento,” you sighed.

“It’s Chris—Father Redfield.”

“He’s, uh, the reason why I left.”

“Why would a man of the Lord drive you to that limit, Sister?” You heard that raspy voice of Father Kento’s inquire.

All you could muster up was a sigh. Talking about your feelings was something you’ve always struggled with, never there being a crucial need to do so, to redeem, like tonight.

“Because I would find myself thinking about him.”

“In what way?” Father Kento asked almost immediately, not wasting a breath.

“In impurity, lust, and love.”

The sigh on the other wooden end of the booth was almost unheard by you. “Describe them.” Father Kento broke the silence after a moment of halting. “W-what?”

“Describe your thoughts. What did you want to do with him?” You heard fiddling, but chose to ignore it.

“I would— would think about him and I, romantically. If and how things would’ve been different had we not chosen this life. Then, it was natural for excitement to settle in when he’d gently brush past me,” you oddly found yourself at ease, tranquil and nostalgic as you reminisce over the past.

“What about lust?” He interrupted in a tight voice.

“Uh,”

“I thought of his large, aged and veiny hands: grabbin—grabbing me, groping my… breasts…”

The ruffling on the other side silenced you, and when Father Kento noticed, he spoke in a stern tone, “Sister,”

“I need you to let it all out.”

So, you took a deep breath, and did exactly that.

You tell the priest how badly you’d grown accustomed to that ache between your thighs, how damp you would feel while merely observing the older man casually interact with the churchgoers; the tinge of bitterness that coursed through your veins, replacing the electricity that he’d often ignite, but now that you see him caressing the arm of another woman, much like the way he’d do to you, you’d find yourself unravelled in the sin of envy.

“I would find myself wanting to start a family with Father Redfield— by any means necessary. I would’ve wanted nothing more than to feel him inside me, carry his load inside me each night, sleeping in the warmth of his arms while his cum leaks out of me, still puffy and sore but in the need of more—”

You heard him groan.

He fucking groaned.

Your sinful ramblings would’ve persisted had the feeling in your gut not begged for you to shut the fuck up that very instance.

“Tell me, Sister,”

“Was it Father Redfield you felt such vulgarity for, or perhaps, just the thought of a superior— One with the Lord— indulging in you?”

You were speechless. Surely there was no insinuation in his sultry tone, right?

“I— I don’t know, Father.” You cleared your throat, thighs involuntarily rubbing together. You raised your palm to bite the back of it, softly, but enough to distract you. A habit you thought you had rid yourself of, but it still lingers.

“Oh, I think you do.”

Before you could deny the blatant accusation, your eyes land on Father Kento through the open wooden network.

You had now realised that this was the first time throughout your confession that you looked up— at him, and the sight awaiting you had caused you to clutch your rosary and gasp the first profanities you’ve dared to say in decades.

Father Kento sat on a ruby, velvet sofa, while his robe lifted up to his stomach. The first thing your eyes trail to is the smug, sinister look on his face, his slicked-back, disheveled hair, his glimmering eyes and pink lips. Then, his broad neck lacking the amice that is supposed to adorn it. Between his thick thighs, stood tall and angry the most vicious thing you’ve seen.

What made it worse was that he had a hand wrapped around the leaking tip, and in that very hand, was his rosary.

“Like what you see, Sister?” He called you out, and you immediately averted your gaze.

You looked to the ceiling, folding your hands and dropping to your knees.

“No, none of that.” Father Kento ‘tsk’ed at the sound of your prayers, making his way over to your side of the confessional.

“As pretty as you look while begging for mercy,”

“ 𝑰 ’𝑴 𝒀𝑶𝑼𝑹 𝑮𝑶𝑫 𝑵𝑶𝑾. ”

He grabbed ahold of your joined hands, opening them just enough to wrap them around the girth of his cock.

“Pray,” he said, squeezing your cheeks together. When your mouth forcefully opened, he shoved his tip past your plump lips, and you instinctively allowed more inside.

“Good girl.” He groaned, motioning your hands back in forth on his cum-slick cock.

Blasphemy coursed through your blood and all thoughts and prayers left your mind, and you twirled your tongue around his cruel tip.

He growled, “You have no idea what you’re doing to me,” pushing back your veil and bandeau to let your hair out and grip it.

“Oh, you have no idea what a punishment the past few hours had been,”

“I’d been doing so good. ‘So good,” his voice was weak yet hoarse; he damn near lost his mind when he hit the back of your throat, biting back a whimper.

“I was on the path to salvation, but you,”

“You just had to show up and send me spiralling to hell.”

He plunged into your tight throat one last time, savouring the sight of your hollowed cheeks and plump lips wrapped around his shaft. You bat your long, thick lashes at him and his heart skips a beat when he looks into those doe eyes of yours.

“Get up,” he yanks you up by the arm.

“Strip.”

You were hesitant while bidding farewell to your attire, but there was unknown fervency in your movements.

Once bare, you couldn’t even look him in the eye.

“This is so wrong—”

“—But do you want it?” He asked, his was was stern and soft, his recollected breath made his velvety voice return.

“More than anything I’ve ever known.” You answered in all honesty; only truth came out of you in the home of the Lord.

There was a soft smirk on Father Kento’s face that widened into a genuine smile upon hearing your words. “Come here, then.” He motioned for you close the eternal gap between the two of you, and you nearly leaped into his arms, the distance growing unbearable.

Kissing you, tasting himself on you, Father Kento spoke in between kisses, “I don’t want a fucking word out of you, okay? You’re going to take cock quietly.”

“We want this to stay between us and God, yeah?”

You nodded, letting him corner you against the wooden box.

His eyes darted up to yours and then trailed down to your body. His frustration aggravated at the sight of you, and the fact that you’re the Lord— his master’s forbidden fruit heightens his senses with carnal instincts, making the Goddess in front of him even more insatiable.

“You know I’d have taken my time with you, right?” He nods, enchanting your dumb and dazed state to follow him.

“But you understand how badly I need to be inside you?” You nod, you need it, too.

“And you’ve sworn in celibacy?” He quirks an eyebrow, but the minute you felt the slightest touch of his fingertips along your velvety folds, you forgot all your vows at once.

“Answer me.” His voice carried a trace of humour, but stoic nonetheless, finding your clit and pressing his thumb onto it.

“Y-yes. Yes.” You bit down on your lip and the priest nearly lost it then and there. His free hand meets your face and tucks the pillowy lip out of your teeth’s grasp, stroking it back and forth.

His hand left your cunt, earning pathetic whimpers from you. It went back to his cock, jerking it a few times, leaving you mesmerised, before he gathered the slick that leaked out of the tip and smeared it onto your pussy.

“Prepping you.” He simply grunted, easing one finger into your tight hole. Your walls show hospitality and gladly accept the digit curling inside them.

You were a virgin, but masturbation wasn’t foreign to you.

“More,” you ached, and he obliged.

By the end of your aching heat, you had (barely) accustomed two of his long, slender yet thick fingers. The fervent circles of his thumb on your clit were torturous.

On the brink of your orgasm, spiralling into ecstasy, Father Kento pulled you out. Like a sinister saviour, he pulled you out of enlightenment.

“No! Please— Why?” You blabbered bullshit, too fucked out to care about anything but release.

“I told you I need to be inside you.” His voice was hoarse, the lust evident in his tone.

Watching you right on the edge of unravelling had him throbbing and twitching.

“I need to feel that tight cunt.” He was damn near hyperventilating. “Baby, I’ll go crazy.” He chokes out a sob when you grab his cock by the angry tip and align it with your hole.

He smiled at you, causing you to clench.

How was this blonde bastard so handsome?

Lifting you up with sheer ease, he let your legs wrap around his waist, your arms crossing over his neck, and his dick plunging into you, inch by inch.

You thanked God the tiny booth was tall, so you had enough space to let your head fall back without it touching the ceiling, courtesy of the man balls deep inside you, standing at 6’0.

The snug fit knocked the air out of both of you. Tears ran down your flushed cheeks like a hot spring, the passion with which he embraced you, devouring your warmth against the cold wood set every cell in your body ablaze.

“You’re so fucking— tight. ‘Hot, tight pussy squeezing so nicely around my cock.” Father Kento began pounding into you. Your legs had began to tremble already, but your vicelike grip on his waist and broad shoulders didn’t falter.

His fat cock fucked into you with desperation, the carnality of being wanted so much, so sinisterly by a man who had sworn chastity makes your soul quiver.

You’ll need to make one hell of an apology to the Lord.

As if reading your mind, the blonde priest spoke in a hoarse voice, “Pray.”

“For your sake and mine, you better fucking pray.”

So, you join your hands and close your eyes, bring Father Kento’s face closer to your chest. He closed his eyes, relishing in the feel of your soft breasts embracing his face like the pillowy clouds of heaven he’d never see.

With every thrust, your would slide up the wall, cunt gushing along his length. You said your prayers silently but couldn’t help letting out wanton cries when the tip of his cock would hit a certain spot inside you, and hit it repeatedly.

You were too far gone to hear him say, “Put it in my mouth,” not knowing what he referred to, until he hit the flesh right above your breast. You struggled to let go of his neck, but grabbed the supple flesh and lead it to his ravenous mouth, like a lamb being led to slaughter.

His hot mouth on your nipple; tugging, licking, circling, and nibbling. His cock inside you, fucking you at godspeed. Two of his fingers on your clit, rubbing maniacally; all had you coming undone in seconds.

“Oh, Kento!” You moaned pornographically, driving him to the point of release and insanity when the rhythmic contractions of your cunt pulsated around his twitching cock, and in mere seconds, Father Kento buried his seed deep inside you.

“Good god.” He groaned, parting with your nipple with a ‘pop’ and overstimulating you with slow, deep thrusts; his fingers never once leaving your clit.

“That—”

“—Needs another confession altogether.”

And so every night you’d find yourself cornered up in the confessional, apologising for same mistake you’ve been making every night, with the man whose forgiveness you beg for, on your knees, and repentance he delivers with a rosary in one hand and his cock in the other.

[lyreofchrysaor]

Xaire, traveler! You may call me Chrys, I go by he/him pronouns. This blog is meant to serve as a documentation of my priesthood training and oracle training under lord Apollon Boedromios. Learn a little more about me while you stay!

I have been a hellenic polytheist for the past 5~ years now. My training under lord Apollon started in November of 2024, after months of research and confirmations. If you are interested in my past religious beliefs, I am ex-muslim.

This blog is devotional, as well as a documentation of my journey as I navigate through my training alongside my life. While I am training specifically under Apollon Boedromios, I will discuss Him as a whole on this blog when educating about Him, unless asked specifically about my training.

Also, my paid services are currently open!

To all beginners, I welcome you with open arms! My ask box is open to anybody and everybody, to all sorts of questions whether related to my training or otherwise.

I am in no way, shape, or form an authority figure. I am still training, and I learn and grow every day. I am just the same as you. Any titles or lack thereof do not change that.

Enjoy your stay! Xaire ♡

[iwasmadethewayheintended]

I believe that transsexuality is a part of God's plan.

The reason He made me female instead of male at the beginning of this life is the same reason He gave us grapes yet made us work for the wine, the same reason we were given wheat yet had to work for bread, the same reason we were given clay yet had to make bricks and then use those to build houses.

There is love and joy in creation. God called upon me and others to engage in the act of creation, to take the body He gave us and mold it into the image He always had in mind.

So many people perceive transsexuality as a mistake, “God put me in the wrong body”, “God doesn’t make mistakes”, but the truth is that’s not the case. It was no mistake. It was a part of His plan, like all things are. It may not make sense to us and it may not make sense now, but it’s not meant to.

[atheneum-of-you]

How did you know or come into knowing that you were to be a priest/priestess of Hermes? It seems like an odd concept to me. That and 'godspousing'???????

I think from an outside perspective it'd be fairly odd, huh?

Personally, I can't speak on godspousing. It's not something I've ever even considered in my life nor something I think applies to my kind of worship. And while I have my personal opinions on it, I don't think that really matters honestly.

When it comes to priestesshood though, I was told through a dream! While it wasn't directly said in that dream, the dream I had did come after some thoughts of priestesshood and honestly, I wouldn't even consider it a dream. It was so far removed from any dream I had ever had and I know for certain I wasn't asleep when it happened.

After that, I did A LOT of confirmation readings with Hermes on it with both tarot and oracle cards. Why he chose me as one of his to train, I honestly have no clue. I've asked many times and he's given answers but none of them seem fully complete to me. I had never even considered worshipping him until very recently and then very quickly after that I was called to priestesshood. I think once a god has developed any sort of interest in you, anything is possible.

Honestly it kinda feels like he grabbed me by the scruff of my neck like a cat and threw me over his shoulder. I've been worshipping the gods for years but never had it been like this. Sometimes I still have doubts and wonder if I'm making it all up in my head but then I pull cards that say "no this is the path you belong on."

I hope that answered? I feel like I definitely just rambled lmao. But yeah! It's a strange feeling and was a strange very whirlwind process. Kinda just happened.

[wayfind-er]

What do you think of people who solo practice and say they are a priest/priestess of a certain deity?

Hi Anonie,

Honestly, pagan priesthood is such a controversial topic, especially in Hellenistic Polytheism, that my opinion might be a bit of a hot take.

Ideally, no one in the Hellenistic Polytheist community would use the term priest or priestess as it doesn't really reflect the religion in any meaningful way; however, I can acknowledge that there are people out there who are interested in "priesthood" all the same, and I will never advocate for people change the way they practice so I feel more comfortable.

In my opinion, you don't need a dedicated cult but a community to call yourself a priest/priestess. Paganism is inherently a lonely practice as so many of us live in the broom closet or in areas without openly pagan spaces. Finding a group of Polytheists in your local area can be hard enough by itself, but then trying to find a group of Polytheists in your area that worship the same Gods can feel impossible.

Historically, ancient Greek priests organized public rituals and festivals to honor their Gods. However, that's not feasible for many people today. Community service will always go hand-in-hand with priesthood, but that service can and does look different for every community. What some communities need isn't religion—they need a tutor to teach struggling kids; they need someone to run a donation drive and get it to those in need; they need someone to advocate for the marginalized community, etc.

The "priest" in charge can create a wholly secular event in the name and honor of their God, and I would still consider that an act of priesthood. Even in antiquity, priests weren't just remembered by the grand festivals they led—they were remembered for their contribution to the community (which often went hand in hand with the festivals, but still).

I want to stress that the ancient priests created (or revitalized) and led these events. Inherently, priesthood is a title of leadership and authority. Just following someone else's footsteps isn't enough—you need to create something that meets the needs of your community and take charge of it or help extend and revitalize an existing service and bring it to those in your local area. Participating in a donation drive is good, but organizing a donation drive for your local community or leading a local project is priestly.

All of this is to say that you can be a priest even if you don't have a dedicated religious community. However, you can never be a priest if you don't contribute to your community meaningfully—a priest without a community is a devotee.

Divider by @/sister-lucifer

[wiirocku]

1 Peter 2:9 (ESV) - But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

[angeltreasure]

We need to pray for our priest so, so, so much more than ever before.

[altis-of-olympia]

Does this count as Priesthood? I think it does.

I was channeling King Zeus earlier (more like, He resides in my space and helps me with my Clairaudience 24/7) and in @atheneum-of-you's server, someone posed the question, what do the Gods think of this new generation of Worshippers?

King Zeus had this to say.

"The newest era has been very interesting to observe. The belief has never died. And whether or not it dies does not determine whether or not we Gods live on. But this latest generation, as... eccentric as you all are, have been integral in keeping us alive. Truly, we'll never be forgotten. Not one of us, even the most minor of Gods, the smallest of Nymphs. The more you all venerate us and spread our names, the more widespread belief in our names become. We aren't going anywhere. You all are. Creating a new generation of devout followers is what's key, here. Practices change as times change, and if we would be remiss if we did not acknowledge this. Do remember, though, that respect is necessary if you're in a private setting. This is all fun and games, and we're all understanding, but... well, you know. You're all smart. ... And farewell to the rest."

I wanted to share this. I thought it was insightful.

Xaire, Altis

[semioticapocalypse]

Mario Giacomelli. Pretini (Dancing priests). Senigallia. c. 1961

Follow my new AI-related project «Collective memories»

[rue-with-the-tarot]

My dream, my purpose, is to follow the path of priesthood laid out before me. I don’t belong to any one belief, as I believe I am a Student of Spirit. I will seek the education I need to be learned in many faiths so that I can attend to the community however they need. When this is complete, and I done my robes, I wish to open a Temple. One where anyone can come to worship how they please, where they can see themselves represented. Where they can see their gods displayed proudly, and with careful consideration. If only you all can see it how I see it. Change is on the wind, and I will follow.

[annielysvoid]

CHRISTIAN TUMBLR HEAR MY PLEAAAA

So uhm basically I have this vision [this idea literally occurred to me in a dream] of a priest that in order to protect his church, he sacrificed himself and got bit by a vampire. Said vampire is killed thankfully but priest transformed. I want to make a book about him continuing his priesthood even becoming a vampire but not in an evil way but in a fun 'daily life of a vampire priest' type of way but I want assurance

In Christian canon, would Jesus pardon that kind of stuff? Like the priest didn't want to be a vampire and is just a victim and want to continue serving on the church since he's that devoted. Do you think Jesus would be okay with that? Like the priest would have the people of the church donate blood to sustain him in out of pity and admiration to his devotion and he would be always like so guilty that he do it but at the same time thankful that he still can serve Jesus and his church even being undead? Would that be okay or is it blasphemy? Cause I really think I'm unto something here pls help

[atheneum-of-you]

How would you go about becoming a priest with an invitation from the god? Like what resources, and what would you learn?

Honestly it depends on the god! Each god is different, and therefore there's no set way on learning priesthood because there is no definitive guide on each and every deities method. However, I can tell you how it works for me as someone training under Hermes (and I'll make a longer more in depth guide on my process sometime soon):

Studying:

A lot of researching your deity. Learn their epithets and how to spell/write/say them. Invoking a specific epithet will help you be able to draw on their power through your future tasks from them.

Also, become knowledgeable and understanding of how the ancient Greek themselves worshipped our gods. Particularly Ancient Greek Cults and Ancient Greek Religion should basically be required reading (both of which are available for free in my tiny library!)

Communication:

Constant constant CONSTANT communication with your deity. You'll be training under them personally, so get used to constantly running to them for guidance and tasks. Communication is key, and finding your best method for receiving answers will save you a world of headaches.

Training Tasks:

Tasks are required for training. Ask your deity what it is they'd like your task to be, and they'll provide you with one. Tasks heavily depend on your deity. My first task was delivering a message from a goddess to a potential future devotee because I train under Hermes. However, a task from Aphrodite may involve providing advice to a specific pair of lovers or even required self reflection. A task from Apollo will look different from a task from Hades. A task from Dionysus will look different from a task from Ares.

Shadow Work:

We should all strive to be our greatest selves for our gods, and this is especially true on the path to priesthood. The more we understand ourselves, the clearer things can become spiritually. This isn't a hard requirement! Simply something I personally think is incredibly important.

The path of priesthood is a long and difficult one, and nay seem fun looking in but it's definitely hard work and you should be sure that this is a path you really want to walk (not talking to you specifically but anyone and everyone considering priesthood).

I hope this helped!!

[wayfind-er]

"Priesthood" in Ancient Greece

[long post under the cut]

TL;DR: The Hiereiai (fem. hiereia, masc. hiereus) was the closest Greek equivalent to a Christian Priest; however, running a temple requires many different people with a variety of responsibilities and the requirements changed at every temple. If you wanted to participate in a public ritual, you followed a hiereia (priestess) or hiereus (priest); if you wanted to give an offering or say a prayer in the presence of the Divine, you asked a Keyholder; and if you wanted a message from the Gods themselves, you requested a meeting with an Oracle or Seer.

Recommended: @star-of-zeus' Priesthood Series.

Foreword

Throughout this post, I will use the term priesthood and priest as a gender-neutral term for female and male priests; however, like some scholars¹, I believe the modern definition of priesthood does not belong in Hellenistic Polytheism. Using them erases the complexities of the Greek Priest equivalent and combines the roles of many historically into one. In this post, I'll go more in-depth into what "priesthood" meant in ancient Greece.

Greek "Priesthood" in Antiquity

Our concept of priesthood is heavily Christian-inspired.

While priesthood in Christianity varies by denomination, our perception of modern Christian priest have inaccurately shaped our understanding of priesthood in ancient Greece.

There's a prominent misconception that priesthood was always a lifelong position and a priests' sole responsibility was to educate the masses and spread the word of their God(s). This comes from a fundamental misunderstanding of what priests actually did in antiquity².

The Hiereiai: the Greek "Priest"

"In Greece, the priesthood is not a way of life, but a part-time and honorary office; it may involve expense, but it brings great prestige.” — Burkert³

The people responsible for maintaining a particular temple and the closest Greek equivalent to a Christian priest were called the Hiereiai (fem. hiereia, masc. hiereus).

The Hiereiai primarily led public rituals, festivals and ensured sacrifices were received and cared for appropriately (per the ritual procedures). Being a part of the Hiereiai can be compared to working a 9-to-5. The Hiereiai did not live in the temple and only worked when the temple was opened, typically during festivals and celebrations⁴ (although this varied by cult).

While their primary job was caring for sacrifices, the Hiereiai worked as public servants (or civil workers). They worked alongside the city to prepare festivals, cleanse homes after a birth or death, and maintain the temple and sanctuary.

Becoming a Priest: Qualifications

Every temple was slightly different, with different requirements and expectations for those who worked there. I'll give the most generalized description from the sources I've found.

"...[I]n the case of Greek priesthoods, pedigree, wealth, or both were basic requirements for attaining office..." — Connelly⁵

The position of a "priest" was most commonly inherited. Priesthood could be purchased, won by elections or lots, or inherited². The most eligible always came from wealthy and well-educated families, with little exception.

There were male and female priests (fem. hiereia, masc. hiereus). The acceptable age of a "priest" varied from cult. Those aged 7 to 11 were likely to be assistants rather than oath-bound priests, as seen in notes about the Cult of Athena Polias. Some cults only accepted “matured” (married and with children—usually post-menopause) women. It's important to note that hiereus typically worked with male deities, and hiereia worked with female deities; however, there were exceptions.

If someone's household was eligible to hold a priest position, all members (regardless of gender) would receive education to obtain the title. Likewise, if someone came from a family of priests, the elders would pass down their knowledge to the young. Most priests had been "training" their entire lives⁶.

The younger someone was, the more likely their position as a priest would be temporary. Younger priests, namely prepubescent children, would typically work as priests until they were no longer virgins or married⁸. Similarly, young women would sometimes temporarily work as priests in the year leading up to their marriage. It's important to note that most priest positions were not life-long and did not typically require oaths of celibacy⁷.

— WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR —

The Hiereiai was the closest Greek equivalent to a Christian priest in antiquity. Priesthood was more like a regular job in that it was commonly a temp. position that allotted a person (and their family) great prestige. The title of a "priest" was commonly inherited, but it could also be bought or elected by the people or Gods (via lots). Primarily, people from wealthy and well-educated backgrounds would be considered eligible for priesthood, although the qualifications required varied from cult and temple. Many of the Hiereiai spent their entire lifetimes learning about priesthood and how to worship the Gods according to their local cults). The Hiereiai's main job was to take care of sacrifices, work with the city to prepare festivals, cleanse homes after birth or death, and maintain the temple.

Keyholders, Oracles, and More

There are not enough words to stress that the term priest does not adequately describe the ancient practice of the Hiereiai or the other people who worked alongside them. When you use priest or priestess, you effectively erase the diversity of the numerous roles that make running a temple possible.

Keyholders: Male or female priests with noble backgrounds and high cultic status could become the ones who carried the key to the temple (or the naos, the dwelling of the Gods). The Naos was not always accessible to all worshippers, as entering meant (metaphorically) stepping into the presence of a God⁸. Keyholders essentially acted as gatekeepers at the doors of the Divine and allowed visitors in according to cultic tradition.

Mantis (Oracles, Seers, Sibyls, etc.): Oracles went by many names in antiquity—Oracle, Seers (Mantis), Sibyls, Prophet(ess), etc. Simply put, Oracles were usually part of the Hiereiai (but not always) with the ability to receive messages from the divine. Unlike a priest, an Oracle was not always bound to a single temple. They would often travel from different cities or backgrounds and advise publicly (or privately to those of high status)⁹. While priesthood was usually reserved for the elite, anyone could become a Oracle, as seen by many of Apollo's Oracles who were "peasants", so long as they had the skills. Oracles and the Hiereiai could sometimes be virtually indistinguishable⁹. Oracles would perform rituals and offer animal sacrifices, alongside the Hiereiai; however, a hiereia (priestess) or hiereus (priest) couldn't perform the duties of an oracle. That said, there was a slight difference between an Oracle and a Mantis (Seer). Oracles were believed to receive the word of a God directly. Seers, on the other hand, interpreted signs (omens, stars, animal entrails from a sacrifice, etc.) and interpreted the message from the Gods that way.

Summarizing

This brief list does not even begin to scratch the surface of the many, many roles that could be found in a temple.

If you wanted to participate in a public ritual, you followed a hiereia (priestess) or hiereus (priest). The Hiereiai (plural for hiereia and hiereus) primarly led public rituals and city-wide festivals, ensured sacrifices were take care of, and cleaned the temple.

If you wanted to give an offering or say a prayer in the presence of the Divine, you asked a Keyholder. The Keyholder was apart of the Hiereiai that was in charge of a key that allowed them to open and close the Naos, a part of the Temple where the Gods were said to dwell.

If you wanted a message from the Gods themselves, you requested a meeting with an Oracle or Mantis (Seer). The Oracles and Seers interpreted messages sent from the Gods and shared them as needed. They were often apart of the Hiereiai themselves, but not always.

Being a part of the Hiereiai can be compared to working a 9-to-5. Every temple was slightly different, with different requirements and expectations for those who worked there; however it was rarely a lifetime job.

When you use the terms Priest or Priestess, you lose some of the nuance that made up "priesthood" in antiquity.

Sources

Divider by @/sister-lucifer [1] Dignas and Kai, "Practitioners of the Divine," 21. [2] Garland, "Greek and Roman Priests and Religious Personnel" [3] Dignas and Kai, "Practitioners of the Divine," 27. [4] Dignas and Kai, "Practitioners of the Divine," 36. [5] Connelly, "Portrait of a Priestess," 23. [6] Connelly, "Portrait of a Priestess," 28. [7] Connelly, "Portait of a Priestess," 18. [8] Karatas, "Key-bearers of Greek Temples" [9] Dignas and Kai, "Practitioners of the Divine," 16.

Updated Dec. 29th, 2024.