Have you decided to wish an Orthodox priest a Merry Christmas, but find it difficult to write a letter or do not know how to congratulate him in person? Refer to church protocol, which is not as strict as it might seem at first glance.
Instructions
Step 1
Unfortunately, for the Bright Feast of the Nativity of Christ there is no time-honored formula for congratulations (as, for example, for Easter), therefore it is customary both in correspondence with a priest and in a personal meeting with him on this day to begin your address with the words “Christ is born - glorify ! (“Is born” in this case is not a mistake, but the Church Slavonic version of the word “is born”). It is with these words that the irmos (first stanza) of the first song of the Christmas canon begins.
Step 2
When addressing a priest in a letter or at a meeting, the norms of church protocol must be observed. If you know who performs services in your church - a priest or an archpriest - then, depending on the rank of the priest, refer to him as "Your Reverend" or "Your Reverend". After that, you must name the priest. But you cannot call him an ordinary secular name. It is necessary to address, for example, like this: "Father Alexy" or "Father John" (necessarily in the Church Slavonic tradition, that is, not "Alexei" and not "Ivan"). It is better not to use the word “father” accepted in Russian Orthodox circulation (in the text of the congratulation it will be appropriate - “dear father”), it is better not to use it if you are not personally acquainted with the priest.
Step 3
There are no strict regulations for the text of congratulations. However, remember that you are not congratulating the priest on his birthday, but on Merry Christmas. Therefore, do not wish him any personal benefits. The only thing that you can write in this case is: "I wish (wish) you the help of God-Infant Christ in your godly deeds for His glory." The main thing is that your congratulation letter is sincere.
Step 4
It is better to end the congratulation with the words: "Your pilgrim (pilgrims)". If you are addressing him with a written message, be sure to indicate the name of the priest and his address-title on the envelope. For example, like this: "To His Reverend Father Alexy Ivanov."
Step 5
If you want to address a priest with congratulations before or after the service, remember that you need to congratulate not only him, but also all the parishioners.
