Main Difference
The main difference between Pastor and Priest is that the Pastor is a ordained leader of a Christian congregation and Priest is a person authorized to lead the sacred rituals of a religion (for a minister use Q1423891).
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Pastor
A pastor is an ordained leader of a Christian congregation. A pastor also gives advice and counsel to people from the community or congregation.
It is derived from the Latin word pastor, meaning shepherd. When used as an ecclesiastical styling or title, the term may be abbreviated to “Pr” or “Ptr” (singular) or “Ps” (plural).
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Priest
A priest or priestess (feminine) is a religious leader authorized to perform the sacred rituals of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and one or more deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities. Their office or position is the priesthood, a term which also may apply to such persons collectively.
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Pastor (noun)
A shepherd; someone who tends to a flock of animals.
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Pastor (noun)
Someone with spiritual authority over a group of people
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Pastor (noun)
A minister or a priest in a Christian church.
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Pastor (verb)
To serve a pastor
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Priest (noun)
a religious clergyman (clergywoman, clergyperson) who is trained to perform services or sacrifices at a church or temple
“The priest at the Catholic church heard his confession.”
“The Shinto priest burnt incense for his ancestors.”
“The Israelite priests were descended from Moses’ brother Aaron.”
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Priest (noun)
a blunt tool, used for quickly stunning and killing fish
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Priest (noun)
the highest office in the Aaronic priesthood
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Priest (verb)
To ordain as a priest.
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Priest (noun)
an ordained minister of the Catholic, Orthodox, or Anglican Church, authorized to perform certain rites and administer certain sacraments
“the priest celebrated mass at a small altar off the north transept”
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Priest (noun)
a person who performs religious ceremonies and duties in a non-Christian religion
“the plays were performed within the sacred area of Dionysus, in the presence of his priest”
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Priest (noun)
a mallet used to kill fish caught when angling.
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Priest (verb)
ordain to the priesthood
“he was made deacon in 1990 and priested in 1994”