Intercessor

According to the ancient Torah (and repeated in the book of Hebrews), a priest interceded with God on behalf of the people, and vice-versa. The High Priest risked exposure to God's overwhelming otherness to offer a sacrifice of atonement, in a very real sense standing in harm's way on behalf of the people he was to serve.

Or maybe it's not all that ancient:

A Ukrainian Orthodox priest, complete with shield, goggles and gas mask -- and cross -- at the ready, on the site of the protests in that nation. The priests have been standing between protestors and troops to try to defuse the rioting and protect people.

(H/T Threedonia. Photo from Agence France-Presse)