Final answer:
Priests and priestesses are full-time religious practitioners with the specialized role of acting as intermediaries between the divine and humans, often holding significant social status and managing religious ceremonies and administrations.
Step-by-step explanation:
Priests and priestesses are specialized religious practitioners who maintain a pivotal connection between the divine and human worlds. They emerge in societies with significant occupational specialization and act as intermediaries, with the authority to govern worship practices and regulate access to religious rites.
Traditionally in the Hindu religion, priests, referred to as pujari, are required to be proficient in Sanskrit and Hindu ceremonies, often stemming from the Brahmin caste, though this has become more inclusive over time. In Christianity, a formal higher education program is a common path towards priesthood.
These full-time religious leaders manage and administer at a high level within religious institutions. They're involved in all aspects of religious life, from overseeing complex ceremonies to imparting spiritual guidance to the community. Due to their responsibilities and their role in explaining the forces at work in human life, priests were likely among the world's first intellectuals.
Lastly, the priesthood has historically and contemporarily held varying social status and may engage in a wide array of activities, from managing temple administrations to participating in religious festivals.