2
edits
Changes
no edit summary
An '''archimandrite''' (literally, "chief of a sheepfold") is a celibate [[priest]] who has been elevated to an honorific rank, one level lower than [[bishop]]. Archimandrites are usually styled ''Very Reverend'' or ''Right Reverend'' and are always the equivalent most senior of [[archpriest]]s among all in the married clergy, though ranks of higher rankthe priesthood. Elevation to archimandrite has often meant that the priest is a candidate for the episcopacy.
In Greek usage, ''archimandrite'' was originally equivalent to ''[[igumen]]'', the traditional title for an [[abbot]] of a [[monastery]], but after the 6th century came to refer to the abbots of particularly large or important monasteries, often having multiple monasteries under his care.
In Slavic usage, the rank of igumen is given to celibate priests as a lower rank than archimandrite.
{{Clergy/wide}}
[[Category:Clergy]]
[[Category:Monastics]]
[[Category:Priests]]
[[es:Archimandrita]]
[[mk:Архимандрит]]
[[ro:Arhimandrit]]
