priesthood
All the priests in a particular religion, seen together as one group.
All the priests of a particular religion, church, or religious tradition considered as a group or class.
The job and way of life of a priest.
The office, role, or lifelong vocation of being a priest.
The special religious power and right that priests have to do holy actions.
The special religious authority or power associated with priests, especially the right to perform certain sacred rites and duties.
A small, important group of experts who have a lot of power in some area, said in a figurative way.
A small, powerful group of specialists or officials who control important knowledge or decisions in a particular field, used figuratively.
- Base: priesthood
- Plural: priesthood
call to the priesthood
1sense of vocation to be a priest
A strong feeling or belief that God wants a person to become a priest.
- He first felt a call to the priesthood as a teenager.
- Many candidates describe their call to the priesthood as both joyful and frightening.
enter the priesthood
1become a priest officially
To start a life as a priest, usually after formal training and a special religious ceremony.
- He decided to enter the priesthood after finishing university.
- Many people are surprised when young women say they want to enter the priesthood in that church.
hold the priesthood
1possess priestly authority
To have official priestly authority in a religious group.
- In that church, only certain members are allowed to hold the priesthood.
- They debated whether women should be able to hold the priesthood.
join the priesthood
1start a career as a priest
To begin the work and way of life of a priest.
- She felt called to join the priesthood at an early age.
- Fewer young people are choosing to join the priesthood today.
priesthood of all believers
1doctrine that all believers are priests
A Christian teaching that every believer has direct access to God and shares some spiritual duties like a priest, not only the official clergy.
- The reformers strongly defended the idea of the priesthood of all believers.
- For many Protestants, the priesthood of all believers is a central part of their faith.