Fair mandatory tax/fee for parish priest to perform baptism or wedding?

[desertpelican]

Christ is risen!

Is the tax/fee for the priest to perform baptism or wedding set by the hierarchs or open to the local parish to determine? I see different prices around. Ours seems fair at $200-$300, but I've had friends claim theirs were upwards of $500-$1500.

 

[ArmyMatt]

indeed He is risen!

not to be that guy, but charging for performing a sacrament seems wrong to me.

 

[prodromos]

indeed He is risen!

not to be that guy, but charging for performing a sacrament seems wrong to me.

The chanter and probably a few others would need to be there when they would otherwise be free of obligations, so I think it is reasonable for some payment to be made. People often throw rice or confetti which needs to be cleaned up afterwards too. I think it should be a token amount, especially if they are members of the parish, but if they are visitors from another parish then I don't think it is unreasonable to pay a little more.

Just playing devil's advocate

 

[ArmyMatt]

The chanter and probably a few others would need to be there when they would otherwise be free of obligations, so I think it is reasonable for some payment to be made. People often throw rice or confetti which needs to be cleaned up afterwards too. I think it should be a token amount, especially if they are members of the parish, but if they are visitors from another parish then I don't think it is unreasonable to pay a little more.

Just playing devil's advocate

I guess so, at least for the stuff not related to doing the sacrament (like the clean up or renting a parish hall).

 

[ArseniusTheSilent]

it seems weird to call it a tax though (at least to me).

 

[E.C.]

I'd call it a tip. I mean, when I eventually have my own place and a priest comes for a house blessing I will definitely provide food and at least something for gas money.


I believe the Serbs in the US here say that they're not charging for the sacrament, but instead charge for use of the church (or something like that) or the choir/chanters to show up.

 

[prodromos]

I'd call it a tip. I mean, when I eventually have my own place and a priest comes for a house blessing I will definitely provide food and at least something for gas money.

Make sure there is a pot plant within reach of where your priest is sitting. He will likely graciously receive whatever you offer him, but when they are doing a lot of house blessings there is only so much coffee a man can drink

 

[nutroll]

This is such a complicated issue to address. Some priests are paid full-time salaries, and some are paid nothing or are even the chief support for the parish's finances. Some parishes are full of tithing members, and some have mostly non-contributing members.

I don't like mandatory anything when it comes to giving, but it is important to encourage people to give for the support of the church and its clergy. It is good for both the church and for the people giving.

If your priest is well compensated, I wouldn't worry too much about additional giving for "special services." If however he is barely paid or not at all, that could be more necessary than you realize. Bottom line is if you want clergy, take care of them. In the Old Testament they were provided for by receiving the best portions of the offerings of the people. Make sure they get the best portion now.

I say all this as a priest, so take it as self-interested if you're so inclined, but I will say that if I was ever given $1500 for serving a baptism, I'd probably pass out from the shock of it. I have been given anywhere from 0 to around $300, and would never let someone go unbaptized, unmarried, or unburied something so trivial as money.

Be generous with your priest as it is a gift you give to God. Priests, be generous with your people as a gift to God. If we all so that, we'll see how generous God is to us!

 

[ArmyMatt]

I don't like mandatory anything when it comes to giving, but it is important to encourage people to give for the support of the church and its clergy. It is good for both the church and for the people giving.

this

I say all this as a priest, so take it as self-interested if you're so inclined, but I will say that if I was ever given $1500 for serving a baptism, I'd probably pass out from the shock of it. I have been given anywhere from 0 to around $300, and would never let someone go unbaptized, unmarried, or unburied something so trivial as money.

I have had occasions where I have been given a large chunk of change for offering the sacraments. I just thank them and donate it.

 

[desertpelican]

This is such a complicated issue to address. Some priests are paid full-time salaries, and some are paid nothing or are even the chief support for the parish's finances. Some parishes are full of tithing members, and some have mostly non-contributing members.

I don't like mandatory anything when it comes to giving, but it is important to encourage people to give for the support of the church and its clergy. It is good for both the church and for the people giving.

If your priest is well compensated, I wouldn't worry too much about additional giving for "special services." If however he is barely paid or not at all, that could be more necessary than you realize. Bottom line is if you want clergy, take care of them. In the Old Testament they were provided for by receiving the best portions of the offerings of the people. Make sure they get the best portion now.

I say all this as a priest, so take it as self-interested if you're so inclined, but I will say that if I was ever given $1500 for serving a baptism, I'd probably pass out from the shock of it. I have been given anywhere from 0 to around $300, and would never let someone go unbaptized, unmarried, or unburied something so trivial as money.

Be generous with your priest as it is a gift you give to God. Priests, be generous with your people as a gift to God. If we all so that, we'll see how generous God is to us!

Thank you for your response. This is what I was thinking. The question was posed to me by a friend and I gave a response along your lines. There are a lot of nuances to the varying circumstances of location, finances, etc.