Deuteronomy 17:11Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Thus, those who choose to disregard him are charged with rudeness and arrogance, and the gravest of all penalties, which is death, is decreed upon them: “Let him die,” it is declared, “who shall pay no heed to the priest who stands there in the service of the Lord thy God.” The presence and service of God are truly awesome; disrespecting the minister of God leads to judgment and punishment, and those who scorn this Divine authority will face severe consequences for their contempt. We observe that our Lord Jesus Christ Himself honored this principle, as He proclaimed to the Jewish people, “The scribes and Pharisees have sat down in the seat of Moses; therefore whatever they command you to observe, observe and do” (Matthew 23:2-3). Thus, let no one condemn the priest, even if he seems lax or indifferent in his commitment to live according to the law; instead, let him be shown grace when he teaches the law, for he may struggle with personal faults, yet he communicates the words of God. Therefore, the words of God should not be dishonored due to the shortcomings of humanity.

Straying from virtues leads to vice; for instance, an individual aiming to construct well may descend into greed in various forms, while the greedy may become wasteful. Thus, it is fitting to conclude that the central path is not only the most favorable but also the most noble.

Those who stray from the flock are preyed upon by wild beasts and become sustenance for the lost. Therefore, “it is not permissible to act independently of the bishop or to partake of the Supper of Love; rather, what he endorses is pleasing to God... The one who honors the bishop receives honor from God; the one who operates in secrecy from the bishop serves the adversary.” “It is essential to obey the presbyters as they represent the apostles of Jesus Christ, our hope, and to seek to please them in all respects, for they are not mere administrators of food and drink but servants of the Church of God; thus, they must also guard against judgment like fire. All of you should honor the deacons as if they were Jesus Christ himself, and the bishop as the Father, and the presbyters as the assembly of God, as the company of the apostles. The Church cannot be rightly called without them.” The Law corroborates this instruction, declaring: “You shall keep to do all things... which the hierarchs command you, ensuring you do not deviate from the word... neither to the right nor to the left. And the one who acts in arrogance, failing to heed the offering... let that individual perish.”