archpriest

American  

[ahrch-preest] / ˈɑrtʃˈprist /

noun

1. a priest holding first rank, as among the members of a cathedral chapter or among the clergy of a district outside the episcopal city.

2. Roman Catholic Church. a priest acting as superior of the Roman Catholic secular clergy in England, first appointed in 1598 and superseded by a vicar apostolic in 1623.

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archpriest British  

/ ˈɑːtʃˈpriːst /

noun

1. (formerly) a chief assistant to a bishop, performing many of his sacerdotal functions during his absence

2. a senior priest

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Other Word Forms

• archpriesthood
  noun
• archpriestship
  noun

Etymology

Origin of archpriest

1350–1400; Middle English archeprest (modeled on Late Latin archipresbyter < Greek archipresbýteros ). See arch- ¹, priest

Example Sentences

But late last month an archpriest and head of the Moscow Patriarchate's expert council on church art, architecture and restoration was fired "in connection with the obstruction of bringing the icon" to the cathedral.

From Reuters • Jun. 3, 2023

Asked about those who threatened the cathedral’s artworks, Roman Kravchyk, the archpriest, fingered the jeweled crucifix around his neck and muttered, “May God have mercy on their souls.”

From New York Times • Aug. 8, 2022

BUCHA, Ukraine — While waiting for the archpriest to bless their baskets of food with his holy water-soaked brush, locals struck up conversations with each other — about matters only they could understand.

From Washington Post • Apr. 24, 2022

A series of bishops, including Cardinal Angelo Comastri, the archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica, said they investigated the allegations, but no one ever interviewed Jarzembowski’s roommate.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 12, 2020

In Germany, at Heidelberg, Sanz del Río found dying Krause, the first archpriest who stood interpreting between Kant and the world.

From Rosinante to the Road Again by Dos Passos, John