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'''''Presbytera''''' (also spelled as '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"). There does not currently seem to be any standard English Although 'Presbyteress' has an equivalentmeaning, so it has a very small usage: most English-speaking Orthodox Christians will use the title most common in the old country churches from which their local family or parish finds its origin.
==Other languages==
* Albanian: ''Prifteresha''
* Arabic: ''Khouria'' (from the word ''khoury'', meaning "priest")
* Carpatho-Russian: ''Pani'' (a shortened form of literally "lady," comparable to ''PanimatkaPan''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"); ''DobrodiikaDobrodijka'' (pronounced ''doh-brohBROH-DEEYdeey-kah'', literally means "a woman who does good"); ''PopadiaPopadya'' ("priest's wife")
==See also==
*[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]]
