Orthodox priest explains injury risk from BJJ as sole pastor
An Orthodox priest who is the sole pastor of a parish with 700 Sunday attendees explains that he cannot risk injury from Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu because the Divine Liturgy requires physical actions such as giving communion, carrying the gifts, and leading processions. A broken arm, hand, or leg would make it impossible for him to serve.
With no replacement priest available, he cannot call in sick, and the church must continue regardless. He notes that people do not typically associate his priesthood with martial arts, but the risk of injury directly threatens his ability to fulfill his ministry.
Key moments
- People don't think about this, but a priest cannot be injured.
- If an Orthodox priest breaks an arm or a hand, it is dangerous because he cannot do the liturgy, he cannot give communion, carry the gifts, or perform the physical actions required.
- If he breaks a leg, he cannot walk or do the processions, and he cannot do anything at all.
- He is alone in his parish with 700 people on Sunday and there is no replacement if he is injured.
- This is a big risk for him; if he is injured it will really affect his ministry because he cannot call in sick for two weeks.
- He practices jiu-jitsu, and people do not put his profession and his martial art together, but he cannot be injured because he cannot physically do the job and there is nobody to replace him.
- The church needs to continue regardless.
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