www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall I'd like to make a priest to person call, please.

Can I say that I have no idea how to speak to a priest over the phone? In email I'm fine. In person - whether he be vested or not - all is well. On the phone I have no clue. Does he get a "Bless, Father." or a "Glory to Jesus Christ!" or something else entirely? Someone with better phone skills please advise.

When I talk to Father on the phone, he usually starts with "Glory be to Jesus". I respond with "Glory be to him forever", then normal conversation.

I usually start with, "Hello, Abuna."

I always surprise him with a "BLAHOSLOVY!" and a little giggle and he knows it is me.

"Salam, Abouna" (Peace, Father)
"Salam, Sayidna" for a bishop

But that's what I say to all whom I call - Salam.

Dear ByzantineTX

I play it by ear... sorry for the pun.
What I mean is that I respond appropriately as others have already suggested in their posts. If he says Glory to Jesus Christ!, then I would respond.

Also, you know how you email, so...use that as your model. If you ask for a blessing by email, then ask over the phone. That would follow after the Greeting and response.

My calls generally go something like this
Greeting
identification of myself (Fr might even say how are you?)
I respond fine... and "May I have your blessing?" or "Fr, bless."
He blesses and I thank him and continue.

At the end of a conversation and prior to saying goodbye, I ask for a blessing again.

Hope it goes well!
prayers
nun Alexandra

At times I call monasteries that have stores. Calling them is always a bit of confusion as well.

Dear Byzantine TX,

If you call a monastery, a monastic should answer the phone with the greeting of the day and then you respond. After that, you would identify yourself and the nature of your call. A monastic may or may not identify themselves. That is a tricky one. I do, but there are some monasteries where the custom is to remain anonymous. The rest of your call would be business. At the end "thank you" and ask to be remembered in prayer before you say goodbye.

Usually, at the beginning and end of your call, you would ask the abbot or the abbess for a blessing, but no need to do that if you are speaking with a monk or nun who has not identified himself or herself and/or you know you are not speaking with the superior.

nun Alexandra