St. John Chrysostom (347-407), a Doctor of the Church, writes in his Treatise on the Priesthood in what high regard he holds the vocation of the holy priesthood. Therein he writes:
"For the priestly office is indeed discharged on earth, but it ranks amongst heavenly ordinances, and very naturally so: for neither man, nor archangel, nor any other created power, but the Parclete Himself, instituted this vocation and persuaded men while still in the flesh to represent the ministry of angels. Wherefore the consecrated priest ought to be as pure as if he were standing in the heavens themselves in the midst of those powers."This saint also speaks of angels crowding around the priest, bowing profoundly and "worshiping Him who lies on the altar."
(Carroll, 1999, pg. 45).
Linkback:
https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=75606.0