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'''''Proistamenos''''' (from Greek, "the one who presides") is the title of the [[priest]] or [[bishop]] who is in charge of a [[parish]] or in an administrative leadership position in a theological [[seminary]] or [[academy]]. It is Biblical in origin, coming from [[Romans]] 12:8, sometimes translated as "the one who governs" or "the leader."

Less commonly, '''''[[rector]]''''' (from Latin, ''regere'', "to rule") is used in some [[jurisdiction]]s to mean roughly the same thing. '''''Predstoyatel''''' is the Russian translation of ''proistamenos''. ==Role=={{diversity}}''This is paraphrased from the ROCOR regulations[http://synod.com/synod/engdocuments/enov_rectors.html], and supplemented by the ROCOR Normal Parish By-laws[http://www.rocor.org.au/news10/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/normal_parish_bylaws_en.pdf], to give an idea of what is required of rectors. Many of these regulations would apply across traditions.'' There are two levels of a rector's duties - those he must personally do, and those he must ensure are done (whether by him or by someone else). Duties that he must personally do include: :A rector is::* Head of the parish, responsible to the Diocesan Authorities;:* The celebrant of divine services and ceremonies according to the Orthodox rite;:* President of Parish Council and at each meeting or general meeting;:* The parish's representative to Diocesan Authorities in communications about all parish matters;:* The director of the parish school (if one exists). :A rector::* Discusses matters of Christian faith and morals as often as possible with parishioners;:* Battles all influences which may corrupt Orthodox Christian people, and attempts to keep all Orthodox Christians within the Church;:* Must co-sign all cheques. :A rector keeps::* The official church seal;:* The metrical books (with details on baptisms, marriages, funerals, etc), and issues extracts as required. Duties that he must ensure are done include: :A rector is responsible for::* Instructing the parish members and those attending church on the rules of the Orthodox Faith and devotion; :* Instructing children in catechism;:* Proper organisation of church and parish;:* Assisting in establishing a school (if one does not exist);:* Organising missionary circles. :A rector supervises::* Order and correctness of divine services;:* Order and correctness of church correspondence;:* Preservation of church documents;:* The activities of the Parish Sisterhood;:* The religious-moral education and development of youth. :A rector ensures that::* The temple with all its possessions (e.g. sacramental items, icons, vestments, service books, etc) are cleaned and orderly;:* All decisions of AGMs, EGMs and Parish Council Meetings are carried out;:* Charity work in the parish is developed;:* Good morals are developed in the parish;:* A parish library is established.

*[[w:Rector|''Rector'' at Wikipedia]]*[http:Rector//www.holy-trinity.org/ecclesiology/hierarchyandlaity.html Hierarchy and Laity in the Orthodox Church] by Fr. [[John Meyendorff]]  {{Clergy/wide}}