Honorifics

An honorific is a word or expression that is a manner of address, which conveys esteem or respect, and is used in addressing or referring to a person. These honorific titles are somewhat of a cross between a title of authority, given to those in a position of authority in the church, and a title of honor, given to one because of their service in the church. Honorifics are usually placed immediately before or after the name of the subject.

In general, when referring to a hierarch, His is often used (e.g. His All Holiness, BARTHOLOMEW, Archbishop of Constantinople, New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch visited Tarpon Springs, Florida in January of 2006). When speaking to a hierarch Your is often used (Your Eminence, I'm so glad to see you!).

Bishops

Patriarchs / Primates

• His All Holiness or The Most Divine (abbreviation for former HAH, oral address Your All Holiness) — Ecumenical Patriarch
• His Beatitude (oral address Your Beatitude)
  • Pope & Patriarch of Alexandria & All Africa
  • Patriarch of Antioch & All The East; also styled as The Most Blessed
  • Patriarch of Jerusalem; also styled as The Most Blessed or The Most Divine
  • Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia; also styled as His Holiness or The Most Holy (abbreviation for former HH, oral address Your Holiness)
  • Patriarch of Romania
  • Patriarch of Bulgaria; also styled as His Holiness
  • Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgia; also styled as His Holiness
  • Archbishop of Nova Justiniana and All Cyprus
  • Archbishop of Athens and all of Greece
  • Archbishop of Tirana, Durres and All Albania
  • Metropolitan; also styled as The Most Blessed
  • Archbishop

You may also see The Most Blessed Beatitude. Names are sometimes hyphenated, e.g. All-Holiness.

Archbishops

• His Eminence or The Most Reverend (abbreviation for latter The Most Rev., oral address Your Eminence)
  • Metropolitan or Titular Metropolitan
  • Archbishop

Bishops

• His Grace or The Right Reverend (abbreviation for latter The Rt. Rev., oral address Your Grace)
  • Bishop or Titular Bishop

Presbyters

• The Right Reverend Father (abbreviation The Rt. Rev. Fr., oral address Father)
  • Protopresbyter
  • Archpriest
  • Archimandrite

• The Very Reverend Father (abbreviation The Very Rev. Fr., oral address Father)
  • Archpriest
  • Archimandrite
  • Dean

• The Reverend Father (abbreviation The Rev. Fr., or, occasionally, The Rev'd., oral address Father)
  • Priest
  • Protodeacon

Notes:

• Also see Presbytera for honorific names for the wives of clergy members.
• The Reverend Doctor (abbreviation The Rev. Dr., oral address Father or Doctor) is also used for priests with a doctorate or medical degree.

Monastics

• The Reverend Father (abbreviation The Rev. Fr., or, occasionally, The Rev'd., oral address Father)
  • Abbot
  • Hieromonk

• The Reverend Mother (abbreviation The Rev. Mo., oral address Mother)
  • Abbess

• Monk - Brother/Father
• Monkess/nun - Sister/Mother

Deacons

• Deacon - The Reverend Deacon or Father Deacon
• Deaconess - The Reverend Deaconess or Mother Deaconess or Diakónissa

Minor orders

• Subdeacon - Mister/Brother
• Reader/Cantor - Mister/Brother

Sources

• Wikipedia:Style_(manner_of_address)#In_religion
• Wikipedia:Honorifics
• http://orlapubs.com/AR/R297.html
• http://orlapubs.com/AR/R67.html
• http://www.goarch.org/en/special/usvisit2002/clergy/clergy_greetings.asp
• http://www.goarch.org/en/resources/etiquette/
• http://www.ocadow.org/texts/protocol.htm
• http://www.orthodoxinfo.com/praxis/clergy_etiquette.aspx
• http://www.orthodoxphotos.com/readings/beginning/brother.shtml

See also

• Saint titles

Further reading

External links

• Use_of_courtesy_titles_and_honorifics_in_professional_writing