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.

From New York Times

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.

From Project Gutenberg