The Book of the Priesthood

Maronite priest, scholar, and educator Joseph Hubeika (1878-1944) here presents the Syriac text and Arabic translation of a long work on the priesthood. It is attributed to Yuhanon Maron, but it has been known at least since Assemani that it is in fact from the hand of John of Dara. The text consists of forty chapters and deals with themes such as an analysis of the concept of the priesthood (its definition, source, reason for its existence, etc.), the Apostle Paul’s teaching on the subject, who may serve as priest, its relationship to kingship and prophecy, the heavenly and earthly authority of the priesthood, the priestly vestments and their significance, preaching and legal decisions of bishop, and his duty and authority of rebuking and forgiving, etc. The Arabic text is given first, followed by the Syriac original in partially vocalized Serto script. This work makes an important resource on ecclesiastical leadership and service available for church historians and theologians.