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 a priest acting as superior of the Roman Catholic secular clergy in England, first appointed in 1598 and superseded by a vicar apostolic in 1623.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

Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, the basilica’s archpriest, prayed that the “deceased pope emeritus” might be welcomed into the “eternal abode.”

From Washington Post • Jan. 2, 2023

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

A series of bishops — including Cardinal Angelo Comastri, Francis' vicar for Rome and the archpriest of St. Peter's Basilica — said they investigated, but no one ever interviewed the alleged victim.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 29, 2019

Why, I myself have served two terms with Arnold de Cervolles, he whom they called the archpriest.

From The White Company by Doyle, Arthur Conan, Sir