Final answer:
Quetzalcoatl, known as the Feathered Serpent, was the patron deity of Aztec priests associated with knowledge and learning in the Mesoamerican religious context.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Aztec priests associated with the patron deity Quetzalcoatl, known as the Feathered Serpent, were primarily involved in activities related to knowledge and learning. This deity was central to Mesoamerican religion and iconography, appearing in various cultures and under different names such as Kukulcan for the Maya. Quetzalcoatl was considered the god of wind, dawn, merchants, and knowledge among the Aztecs. The figure of Quetzalcoatl is notably featured in many Mesoamerican artworks and codices, signifying its importance in the pantheon of gods and the cultural practices of the time.
Quetzalcoatl's role as a deity of knowledge and learning positioned the Aztec priests who served under him as custodians of wisdom, education, and intellectual pursuits within the Aztec society. This service distinguished them from priests who conducted agricultural rituals, led military expeditions, or performed healing ceremonies, each specific to other deities within the Aztec pantheon.