starets

[ stahr-its, -yits ]

noun

, Russian Orthodox Church.

, plural star·tsy [stahrt, -see].

1. a religious teacher or counselor.

Word History and Origins

Origin of starets¹

1915–20; < Russian stárets elder, derivative of stáryǐ old

Example Sentences

The Empress, her head bowed in silence, knelt before the weird impressive shrine, side by side with the Starets.

From Project Gutenberg

One day a frantic message came to me over the telephone from Madame Vyrubova, who inquired the whereabouts of the Starets.

From Project Gutenberg

The Tsar bowed as the Starets, crossing himself, bestowed his blessing upon him.

From Project Gutenberg

Experts were brought in, when it was found that the writing was in Russian character, and the words were: "The holy Starets is——"

From Project Gutenberg

This conveyed nothing to the London police, who, of course, knew nothing save that a "Starets" in Russia is a "saint."

From Project Gutenberg