In a modern multi-confessional society, each of the more or less numerous religious groups is divided into a flock, that is, parishioners of a particular temple, and those who lead the process of departures (priests). With all the diversity of church life, the ministers of religious worship, as they are called in official documents, have some similarities. They must be good psychologists, enjoy authority, speak well, have a high level of intelligence and know spiritual literature that sanctifies the worldview concept of the confession they represent.
Priests, as they call the ministers of the religious cult of the Orthodox Church, are under constant and close supervision of the public. The most massive religious community in our country is the subject of a “hunt for souls” by overseas sects that need to replenish their flock, and therefore any flaws in the behavior of Orthodox priests become a topic for “revealingmaterials”, filling the media with lightning speed. And although the majority of the ROC ministers lead a decent lifestyle, the image of a “priest in a Mercedes”, mired in luxury and violating all God's commandments, is persistently introduced into the public consciousness.
There are also Catholic ministers of religious worship. What are they called? Priests. They carry out the spiritual formation of the flock of the papal Roman church. Their activity by means of mass media is consecrated undeservedly seldom. For the most part, Catholic priests are worthy people, it just so happened that the influence of the Vatican in Russia is small. In addition, in recent years, the Roman Church has set a goal to increase its popularity in the West, it has made significant ideological concessions and is pursuing a policy of ecumenism, which in turn does not add adherents to it among our fellow citizens, who mostly gravitate towards traditional moral values.
Protestant clergy are usually called pastors. These include Lutheran priests, who unite believing ethnic Germans and representatives of denominations of American origin (Baptists, Seventh-day Adventists, Mormons, etc.). Representatives of overseas sects are active in attracting new adherents. For this purpose, colorful booklets are printed, and adherents of Protestant denominations start theosophical conversations with passers-by on the streets, and sometimes go door-to-door distributing religious literature. Lutheran pastors keep a low profile.
A large percentage of Russians profess Islam. Muslim clerics, as they are called - mullahs, hold religious services in mosques. Their role in shaping public morality and morality is great, and for the most part they adequately cope with it. The exception is extremist organizations that call for an aggressive struggle. They are condemned by representatives of Islam who preach civil peace and religious tolerance.
Jewish ministers of religious worship also have a considerable influence on the minds. Everyone knows what they are called, they are rabbis. In addition to performing religious rites, their duties also include public functions. So, in case of disputes, the Rebbe can act as an arbiter.
All priests, regardless of denomination, have a common feature. They simply have to be interesting people, otherwise they will not capture the attention of the parishioners.
