1. Lecture 4: Levitical Priesthood
Dr. Ann T. Orlando
15 February 2019

2. Outline Biblical Background: Exodus and Leviticus Origen
Homilies on Leviticus
Augustine on Exodus and Leviticus
Apostolic Constitutions

3. Background on Exodus Second book of Pentateuch (Torah)
Traditionally written by Moses
Tells story of salivation of people Israel from Egyptians and time in desert
Outline
Birth an dearly life of Moses
Call of Moses
Passover and deliverance from Pharaoh
Time in the desert, 10 commandments
Design of Ark of Covenant
Establishment of Levitical (hereditary) priesthood through Aaron (Ch 28-30)
Golden calf and punishment of the people
Building tabernacle, ark of the covenant and altar of incense

4. Background on Leviticus
Third book of Pentateuch (Torah)
Traditionally written by Moses
Could be considered a manual for newly created Levitical priesthood
Outline
Types of sacrifices
Ordination of priests
Aaron’s sons offer an impure sacrifice
Household laws
Purification of the sick
Day of Atonement
Ritual and moral holiness
Conduct of priests
Festivals

5. Scriptural Exegesis Reminder
Since Scripture is fundamentally ‘one book’, various disparate sections can be used to explain other sections
Use NT to fully understand the OT
Use OT figures as a model for Church

6. Collection of OT Books as Referenced by Fathers
Pentateuch: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy
Origen
Heptateuch: Pentateuch plus Joshua and Judges
Augustine
Octateuch: Heptateuch plus Ruth
Theodoret

7. Origen Born in Alexandria in 185, died (a martyr) in 254
Born into a Christian family
His father, Leonides, martyred when Origen was a teenager
Influenced by Philo of Alexandria
Prominent in the catechetical school in Alexandria
Wrote an important apology opposing philosophical arguments against Christianity, Contra Celsum
Although he suffered heroically for the faith, later controversies led to his condemnation
For political/theological reasons Origen was condemned by Justinian in the 6th C and at the Second Council of Constantinople

8. Origen and Scripture
‘Systematic’ approach to Scripture described in On First Principles
Literal
Moral
Spiritual
Hexapla
Wrote many complete commentaries and homilies on almost all books of Scripture
Majority of books lost as a result of 6th C condemnations
Most surviving works reconstructed from Latin or other translations

9. Origen the Presbyter and Scholar
Ordained priest by bishop of Caesarea in Palestine
Bishop of Alexandria, Demetrius, was not informed and opposed the ordination
As presbyter, he was primarily called upon to teach and preach
He established important school is Palestine, focused on study of Scripture
Extensive dialog and debates with Jewish rabbinic school
His scholarly work was supported by Ambrose and his wife
School endured for several centuries after Origen’s death
St. Jerome studied there
Jerome’s Letter 31 to Paul contains the best list of Origen’s works

10. Homilies on Leviticus
Origen likely delivered these homilies c. 240, over two or three years
Translated into Latin by Rufinus c. 400
Origen uses these homilies to discuss the proper role of the priest (presbyter)
Priest must not only know the scriptures, but he must be able to communicate proper lessons from Scripture to his audience
Numerous places in Homilies where Origen discusses contemporary ecclesial practices

11. Some Questions to Consider in Origen On Leviticus
Homily 1
In places, Origen seems to be referring to the priesthood of the laity, in other places, to the ordained presbyterate.  Consider some examples
How is the sacrifice of Jesus both physical and spiritual
Homily 4
What is the priesthood of the laity?
What did the woman suffering from a hemorrhage in the Gospels understand about Jesus
Why should priests of the altar be perfect?
How does the priest teach
How should the priest care for himself?
Homily 5
What does Origen mean when he says that we have all the animals needed for sacrifice within us
What is role of priests in forgiving sins of the people?
What is the difference between an ‘transgression’ and a ‘sin’
What is the reward of the priests who preaches the true Word
How is the salutary sacrifice divided into praise and prayer
What are the three causes of impurity? How are we to understand this?
How does a priest offer a salutary sacrifice

12. Augustine Continuation of CoG XVII
How Aaronic priesthood is related to prophets (Samuel in particular)
See XVII.5-6
The ‘priesthood’ of Moses, Aaron and Samuel See Exposition of Psalm

13. Questions to Consider for Augustinian Readings
Augustine, CoG XVII
Why does Augustine place such importance on Samuel’s priesthood?
What does Augustine say about the priesthood of the laity and the priesthood of Aaron
Augustine, Explosions of the Psalms, Ps 98
How do Moses, Aaron and Samuel represent all Christian faithful?
Is anyone sinless? Are all liable to punishment? What about Samuel?
What is the punishment of servants (ministers) of the Church?

14. Apostolic Constitutions
(Early?) Fourth Century collection of sayings, decrees, liturgies which purport to be from the Apostles
Organized in 8 (unrelated) books
Contains elements of other works such as Didache and Liturgy recorded by Hippolytus
Unknown in Latin, West, until Renaissance
Explores another line of thought on deacons (and deaconesses) as Levites

15. Book II: Church Hierarchy and Organization
On role of bishops and deacons see Book II. xxv-xxxv
Describes deacons as ‘levites’
Attempts to establish a metaphor of bishops (and priests) related to Moses while deacons are associated with Aaron and Levites
Seems to be an attempt to reconcile Order of Melchizedek with Order of Levites

16. Questions to Consider in the Apostolic Constitutions
How does AC describe the relationship between bishops and the people of the Church?  How does it use the Old Testament to do this?
Who selects priests?
What are some of the Church  ‘offices’ mentioned here?

17. Assignments Origen, Homilies on Leviticus Homilies 1, 4, 5
Augustine, CoG, XVII.5-6
_____Exposition of Psalm
Apostolic Constitutions II.xxv-xxxv
Prepare Paper #4