by St. John of Kronstadt
“…by the grace of the priesthood, by bestowing upon others the Divine Body and Blood, priests become the second or third means of healing and sicknesses. Through priests the grace of the Spirit gives new life to infants and grown persons; administers in the sacrament of the Eucharist the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, uniting believers with the Godhead; through priests it looses or binds the sins of men, opens or closes heaven, gives salutary counsels, rules, etc.
O, how venerable is the office of priest! Do you see, brethren, how many benefits the Creator and Saviour pours upon you through priests?”
From My Life in Christ
