By
His Apostolic Highness Rutherford (Radislav) I, Prince-Bishop of Rome-Ruthenia

     In Apostolic, Orthodox, and Catholic Christianity, the priesthood is understood as a sacred ministry that reflects the divine order established by God. This order is not arbitrary but is firmly founded on the divine governance of the Kingdom of Heaven, which is described in Scripture and tradition as a monarchy. The centrality of Christ as King of Kings (Revelation 19:16) underpins the very nature of our understanding of authority, hierarchy, and governance. This prompts a question: can a priest, whose calling is to represent the divine order, truly fulfill his vocation without embracing the principle of monarchy?

Monarchy in the Kingdom of Heaven

     The Scriptures and the writings of the Holy Fathers present a consistent image of God as King. The Psalms repeatedly extol God’s kingship: "The Lord is King; He is robed in majesty" (Psalm 93:1). The Kingdom of Heaven is not a democracy, where authority is derived from the collective will of the people, but a monarchy, where authority flows from the divine will of God. The King is both the source and sustainer of order, justice, and mercy.

     The Church, as the Body of Christ, mirrors this divine monarchy. Christ is the head, the High Priest, and the King. Bishops, priests, and deacons serve as stewards of this heavenly order on earth, maintaining the unity and hierarchy of the Church. The priest, in particular, stands as an icon of Christ, representing not only His pastoral care but also His kingship.

The Priest as a Monarchist

     A priest who denies or disregards the principle of monarchy undermines the very theological framework that supports his own ministry. To serve as a priest is to embrace the hierarchical and monarchical nature of both the Church and the Kingdom of Heaven. This is not a matter of mere political preference but a theological and spiritual necessity. The priest's vocation is to guide the faithful toward the heavenly Kingdom, which is ordered not by the shifting sands of public, democratic opinion but by the unchanging will of Christ the Eternal Priest and King.

     Saint John Chrysostom, in his Homilies on the Priesthood, highlights the immense responsibility of the priest to reflect divine order. He notes that the priest’s actions are not his own but are meant to reflect the governance of God Himself. If a priest rejects monarchy, he risks rejecting the very image of divine governance he is called to uphold.

Orthodoxy and Political Monarchy

     While the Kingdom of Heaven is the ultimate monarchy and is glorious in its perfection, the Apostolic, Orthodox, and Catholic tradition has traditionally recognized earthly monarchies as reflections of divine order. From the Roman and Byzantine emperors to the Holy Roman Emperors, Russian Kings and later Emperors, and the Christian monarchs of the various Christian nations of the world, Sovereign princes have been seen as God’s anointed, charged with upholding Christian justice and fostering the spiritual life of their people. This historical context reinforces the theological alignment between monarchy and the Apostolic Christian Faith.

     Now, true Christian monarchies on earth, though divinely ordained, are managed by humans. Therefore, while in concept they are perfect reflections of the divine order, they are imperfect in practice due to the imperfection and fallen state of mankind. Yet, they are, even in their imperfection, preferred to other forms of government, for a true Christian sovereign is subject to God, responsible for the care of his people, and ultimately will be judged by God accordingly.

      Monarchies that exist merely as symbolic or ceremonial institutions, devoid of any active role in upholding and promoting Christian principles within government and the nation at large, cannot be considered authentic in the fullest sense. An authentic Christian monarchy is one in which the monarch recognizes and embraces their divinely appointed responsibility to serve as a moral and spiritual leader, guiding their people in accordance with the teachings of Christ and the traditions of the Church. When a monarchy abdicates this sacred duty, reducing itself to a purely figurehead role, it forfeits its legitimacy as an instrument of divine order and governance. Such a monarchy becomes disconnected from its higher purpose and ceases to fulfill the profound role envisioned within the Christian understanding of kingship.

     Again, though, the principle of monarchy as a reflection of divine order remains foundational. A priest who rejects this principle risks diminishing the eschatological vision of the Church and its ultimate destination: union with Christ the King.

The Dangers of Democratic Ideology

     Democracy itself ultimately is an ideology that denies Christian hierarchy and undermines divine authority, and  therefore it inherently conflicts with the Apostolic, Orthodox, and Catholic understanding of order. The Church is not a democracy; it does not derive its teachings or governance from popular vote. Indeed, truth is not subject to majority opinion, and the Kingdom of Heaven is not established by consensus but by the will of God.

     Democracy, understood in the narrow terms of providing representation of the people within government, is not inherently contrary to Christian doctrine. The principle of giving voice to the needs and concerns of the people aligns, in a general sense, with the Christian understanding of human dignity, stewardship, and accountability before God. However, Christian doctrine maintains that such representation can only be legitimately, authentically, and fully realized within the framework of an authentic Christian monarchy. This is because, in the Apostolic, Orthodox, and Catholic understanding, governance is not merely a secular arrangement but a reflection of divine order. A Christian monarchy, led by a ruler who is consecrated to uphold God’s law and guided by the Church, integrates the temporal and spiritual dimensions of leadership. Such a system ensures that the government not only represents the people but also leads them toward their ultimate purpose in Christ, rooting governance in the moral and spiritual truths revealed by God. Without this sacred foundation, representation risks becoming fragmented, detached from transcendent truth, and vulnerable to purely secular or individualistic interests.

     A priest who adopts a democratic worldview or political view not only contradicts the fundamental principles of the priesthood and the Church as a whole but also risks allowing this perspective to influence his ministry, whether intentionally or unconsciously. Such an outlook, if unchecked, can lead to a misunderstanding of the Church as merely a human institution governed by majority opinion or societal trends, rather than the divine and mystical Body of Christ, guided by the Holy Spirit and rooted in divine revelation. This shift in perception may result in the erosion of the Church’s sacred and spiritual hierarchy, wherein the priest, as a servant of God, is meant to act as a bridge between the faithful and the divine.

     Furthermore, it can undermine reverence for sacred traditions, liturgical practices, and doctrinal truths, which are not subject to human negotiation or popular vote but are entrusted to the Church as eternal treasures for the salvation of souls. This flattening of spiritual hierarchy can easily foster a sense of false equality that disregards the distinct roles and responsibilities within the Church, weakening the priest’s ability to lead, teach, and sanctify effectively. Ultimately, such a worldview risks diminishing the Church’s eschatological mission, which is to prepare the faithful for eternal life in the Kingdom of God. Instead of pointing toward the transcendent and the divine, the Church may become overly preoccupied with temporal concerns, losing sight of its ultimate purpose and divine calling.

Conclusion

     The vocation of the priesthood is inseparable from the theology of the Kingdom of Heaven, a monarchy ruled by Christ the King. This foundational truth informs every aspect of a priest’s ministry, shaping his role as a representative of Christ and a steward of the mysteries of God. A priest (and indeed any member of the clergy) who rejects or fails to embody this principle risks distorting the very nature of the Church and its mission, potentially leading the faithful away from a true understanding of their ultimate calling. The Church is not a human institution subject to the shifting winds of politics or societal trends, but the living Body of Christ, whose governance reflects the eternal and perfect order of the heavenly Kingdom.

     While earthly monarchies are imperfect in practice due to the fallibility of mankind, they are nevertheless still reflections of perfect divine order. Such reflections remind us of the Church’s eschatological vision: the eternal Kingdom where Christ reigns in glory as the King of kings. For this reason, a priest is called to remain a steadfast witness to the heavenly monarchy, guiding the faithful toward this ultimate reality. His role is not to conform to worldly ideologies but to proclaim the eternal truths of God’s Kingdom, where love, justice, mercy, and holiness reign supreme.

     Likewise, the Christian faithful are called to live by these same principles, recognizing Christ as their ultimate King and aligning their lives with the divine order of His Kingdom. This requires a conscious rejection of any and all secular ideologies or systems that place the authority of the state above the Church. As the Body of Christ, the Church must always remain above the state, serving as the spiritual authority that directs and sanctifies, reminding earthly powers of their accountability before God.

     In this light, the priest’s commitment to the principle of monarchy transcends any political or cultural stance; it is, instead, a profound affirmation of divine order and the nature of God’s rule. To serve as a priest is to proclaim and embody the truth of the Kingdom of Heaven: a monarchy of infinite love and perfect justice, leading souls to eternal life in communion with Christ the King. By doing so, the priest not only upholds his sacred vocation but also becomes a living icon of the heavenly reality that the Church is called to manifest on earth.