"Origen and the Priesthood" is an introduction and anthology dedicated to Origen of Alexandria’s reflection on the Christian priesthood. Inspired by the work of Father Mariusz Szram, this volume offers an in-depth study of Origen’s writings on the subject and presents a selection of translated texts that illustrate his thought.

Origen, one of the greatest theologians of the early Church, did not write a specific treatise on the priesthood, but he extensively addressed the topic in his homilies and biblical commentaries, particularly in his interpretations of the Old and New Testaments. He distinguished two dimensions of the priesthood: the royal priesthood of all the faithful, conferred through baptism, and the ministerial priesthood, reserved for bishops, priests, and deacons. His teaching highlights the essential connection between priestly ministry and inner holiness, emphasizing the importance of purity of heart and faithfulness to the divine mission.

The book is divided into two parts:

1. An introduction that presents Origen’s life, his controversial ordination, and the ecclesial context of his time. It explores how he exercised his ministry despite tensions with Demetrius, the bishop of Alexandria.
2. An anthology of texts from the Homilies on Leviticus, Numbers, and Joshua, as well as his commentaries on the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. These excerpts cover themes such as Christ as High Priest, the dignity of priestly ministry, the demands of priestly life, and the relationship between clergy and laity.

This English edition serves a dual purpose: to provide priests and the faithful with a valuable resource for meditation and to encourage further research on this still largely unexplored topic. Origen’s teachings, with their theological depth and spiritual richness, continue to be a source of inspiration for Christian life and ecclesial ministry today.