protopresbyter

[proh-toh-prez-bi-ter, -pres-]

noun

Eastern Church.

1. a title given to distinguished priests.

2. protopope.

Word History and Origins

Origin of protopresbyter¹

From the Medieval Greek word prōtopresbýteros, dating back to 1880–85. See proto-, presbyter

Example Sentences

“I was, and am, all for putting the ‘Sphere’ on Liberty Park, where it belongs,” said Father Alexander Karloutsos, a protopresbyter, or archpriest, who has represented the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America in its dealings with the Port Authority.

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The first title is that of San Lorenzo in Lucina, and the cardinal priest of the oldest standing takes the name of “first priest,” protopresbyter.

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