catholicos

[ kuh-thol-i-kuhs, -kos ]

noun

, plural ca·thol·i·cos·es, ca·thol·i·coi [k, uh, -, thol, -i-koi].

1. (often initial capital letter) Eastern Church.
   1. any of the heads of certain autocephalous churches.
   2. (in some autocephalous churches) a primate subject to a patriarch and having authority over metropolitans.
2. (in the early Christian church) the head of monasteries in the same city.

Catholicos

/ kəˈθɒlɪkɒs /

noun

1. the patriarch of the Armenian Church

Word History and Origins

Origin of catholicos¹

1615–25; < Late Greek katholikós, noun use of Greek adj.; catholic

Word History and Origins

Origin of catholicos¹

C17: from Greek katholikos ; see catholic

Example Sentences

He offered as evidence two redacted statements that showed transfers of $450,000 from a diocese account at Pacific Western Bank with the memo line “Catholicos of All Armenians,” the English term for the Armenian-based leader of the church.

From Los Angeles Times

Armenian Apostolic Church head Catholicos Garegin II and other top clerics have called for him to step down.

From Washington Times

The head of the church, Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II, urged the prime minister to resign in a statement, saying that the move would “prevent upheavals in public life, as well as possible clashes and tragic consequences.”

From Seattle Times

The head of the church, Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II, urged the prime minister to resign in a statement, saying that the move would “prevent upheavals in public life, as well as possible clashes and tragic consequences.”

From Washington Times

Demonstrations calling for the resignation of the church’s leader, Catholicos Garegin II, have persisted for several months.

From Seattle Times