priesthood

Priesthood refers to the body of persons authorized to perform sacred rites and to act as mediators between the divine and humanity within a religious tradition. The term is commonly associated with ordained leadership and distinguishes those who administer worship from lay followers. Etymologically, it derives from Latin sacerdos, with parallels in ancient Greek hieros and related terms in other languages.

Across cultures, priesthood has taken various forms. In Judaism, the ancient priestly class (the Kohanim and Leviim) held hereditary duties and specific liturgical roles in the Temple; after the Temple's destruction, many roles shifted to ritual and rabbinic leadership. In Christianity, ordination creates an officially recognized ministry believed to carry spiritual authority; practices and hierarchy vary by tradition—from episcopal systems with bishops to non-episcopal bodies where ministers or pastors lead congregations. Hinduism features temple priests typically drawn from Brahmin communities who perform yajnas, pujas, and other rites. Islam generally lacks an ordained priesthood; religious authority rests on scholars, jurists, and, in some communities, imams who lead prayers and provide guidance. Some traditions maintain monastic or clerical orders with distinct rules and vows.

Functions of priesthood commonly include leading worship, administering rites and sacraments, teaching doctrine and law, offering pastoral care, and maintaining sacred spaces and artifacts. In modern contexts, priesthood arrangements continue to evolve, with debates over gender, ordination of women and LGBTQ individuals, the scope of lay participation, and the role of clergy in civil society.