This book offers an innovative examination of the question: why did early Christians begin calling their ministerial leaders «priests»? This study helpfully broadens our understanding of the emergence of a Christian priesthood beyond pagan imitation or narrow focus on the sacrificial nature of the Eucharist, and offers a more comprehensive explanation in connection with early Christian ecclesiology.

This is a series of monographs designed to provide access to research at the cutting-edge of current Patristic Studies. Particular attention is given to the development of Christian theology during the first five centuries of the Church and to the different types of Biblical interpretation which the Fathers used. Each study will engage with modern discussion of the theme being treated, but will also break new ground in original textual research.