'''''Presbytera''' '' (Gk. πρεσβυτέρα, pronounced - and sometimes spelt - ''presvytera'') is a Greek title of honor that is used to refer to a [[presbyter|priest]]'s wife. It is derived from ''presbyteros'' -- —the Greek word for ''priest''(literally, "elder"). It corresponds to [[Khouria]] Although 'Presbyteress' has an equivalent meaning, it has a very small usage: most English-speaking Orthodox Christians will use the title most common in Arabic and [[Matushka]] in Russianthe old country churches from which their local family or parish finds its origin.

{{stub}}==Other languages==''Presbytera'' corresponds to the following equivalent titles: * Albanian: ''Prifteresha''* Arabic: ''Khouria'' (from the word ''khoury'', meaning "priest")* Carpatho-Russian: ''Pani'' (literally "lady," comparable to ''Pan'' for priests, meaning "lord")* Finnish: ''Ruustinna'' (from the word ''rovasti'' (protoiereos), in Karelia: Maatuska)* Estonian: ''Presvitera''* Old Icelandic: ''Prestkona'' ("priest's woman")* Romanian: ''Preoteasa''* Russian: ''Matushka'' (pronounced ''MAH'-too-shkah'', literally means "mama," i.e., the intimate form of "mother"; more common in "diaspora" Russian traditions than within Russia itself)* Serbian: ''Popadija'' (from the word ''pop'', meaning married priest); ''Protinica'' (pronounced ''proh-tee-NEE'-tsah'') for a [[protopresbyter]]'s wife* Ukrainian: ''Panimatka'' or ''Panimatushka'' (''pani'', "lady" + ''matushka'', "little mama"); ''Dobrodijka'' (pronounced ''doh-BROH-deey-kah'', literally means "a woman who does good"); ''Popadya'' ("priest's wife") ==See also==* [[Diakonissa]] ==Books==* ''Presbytera: The Life, Mission, and Service of the Priest's Wife'', by Athanasia Papademetriou (ISBN 0972466142) ==External links==*[http://www.nsp.goarch.org/ National Sisterhood of Presvyteres] ([[GOARCH]])*[http://www.theologic.com/oflweb/inchurch/clergywife.htm "The Orthodox Clergy Wife"] by Matushka Valerie G. Zahirsky (''Orthodox Family Life'')*[http://www.roca.org/OA/96/96h.htm "The Shadow of a Priest"] from ''Orthodox America''*[http://www.orthodoxinfo.com/praxis/clergy_etiquette.aspx Clergy Etiquette] [[Category:Church Life]]