In the Middle Ages, reading and writing were almost exclusively the domain of the priestly class, and this is the reason for the close relationship of these words.
![manual swap magic 3.6 manual swap magic 3.6](https://i5.walmartimages.com/asr/bbad3deb-30e7-4fbf-b0e0-bb2ddc3b6d4a_1.3bed7ce43f02ef62837b9fb395432f67.jpeg)
"Clerk", which used to mean one ordained to the ministry, also derives from clericus. "Clergy" is from two Old French words, clergié and clergie, which refer to those with learning and derive from Medieval Latin clericatus, from Late Latin clericus (the same word from which "cleric" is derived). In turn, the source of the Latin word is from the Ecclesiastical Greek Klerikos (κληρικός), meaning appertaining to an inheritance, in reference to the fact that the Levitical priests of the Old Testament had no inheritance except the Lord. The word cleric comes from the ecclesiastical Latin Clericus, for those belonging to the priestly class.
![manual swap magic 3.6 manual swap magic 3.6](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/pk8AAOSwtkNf2nIW/s-l400.jpg)
![manual swap magic 3.6 manual swap magic 3.6](https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6BdyN58Ne8M/Tykkl5tlalI/AAAAAAAAABw/z1OTyB_6V1Q/s1600/Swap_Magic_v_3_6_Plus_DVD.jpg)
Their roles and functions vary in different religious traditions, but usually involve presiding over specific rituals and teaching their religion's doctrines and practices. 2009 World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.Ĭlergy are formal leaders within established religions. (left to right) George Carey, Archbishop of Canterbury (1991–2002) Jonathan Sacks, Chief Rabbi (UK) Mustafa Cerić, Grand Mufti of Bosnia and Jim Wallis, Sojourners member.