An '''abbot''' (from the [[Aramaic ]] ''abba'', a familiar form of ''father'') is the head and spiritual father of a male [[monastic]] community. Depending on the community, he may be either appointed by a [[bishop]] or elected by the members of the community. He may or may not be a [[presbyter]]. He has wide jurisdiction and authority over the community he leads.== Origins == {{stub}}StThe title had its origin in the monasteries of Egypt and Syria, and it spread throughout the eastern Mediterranean, soon becoming generally accepted in all languages as the designation of the head of a monastery. [[Seraphim of Sarov]] offered this advice to The word is derived from the Aramaic '''abbots'av''meaning "father" or abba, meaning "my father". In the Septuagint, it was written as "abbas".<ref>"Abbey Austin". Encyclopædia Britannica. I: A–Ak – Bayes (15th ed.). Chicago, IL:Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. 2010. p. 12. ISBN 978-1-59339-837-8.</ref>== Monastic history ==The position of abbot has existed since the beginning of cenobitic monasteries.=== Early history ===:''Let every In Egypt, the first home of monasticism, the jurisdiction of the abbot, or [[archimandrite]], was loosely defined. Sometimes he ruled over one community or several, each of which had its own abbot become and remain always in his relation to those subject to him as a wise motherwell. [[John Cassian|St. A mother John Cassian]] speaks of an abbot of the Thebaid who loves her children lives not to satisfy herself, but to satisfy her childrenhad 500 monks under him. The infirmities By the [[Rule of her children she bears with love; those who have fallen into filth she cleansSt. Benedict]], washes them calmlywhich, clothes them until the Cluniac reforms, was the norm in new white garments, puts their shoes onthe West, warms them, looks after them, comforts them and from all sides strives to pacify their spirits so that she never hears the slightest cry from them; and such children are well disposed to their motherabbot has jurisdiction over only one community. Thus should every abbot live not to satisfy himselfThe rule, as was inevitable, but to satisfy those was subject to him&mdashfrequent violations;he should be condescending to their weaknesses; bear with love but it was not until the infirmities foundation of the infirm; heal their sinful diseases with Cluniac Order that the plaster idea of mercifulness; raise with kindness those who have fallen into transgressions; quietly cleanse those who have become sullied with a supreme abbot, exercising jurisdiction over all the filth houses of some vice and wash them by placing upon them fasting and prayer above the ordinary amount which is set forth for all; clothe theman order, was definitely recognized.Monks, as a rule, by instruction and by one's own exemplary lifewere laymen, in garments nor at the outset was the abbot any exception. For the reception of virtues; keep constant watch over themthe [[sacraments]], by every means comfort themand for other religious offices, the abbot and from all sides defend their peace and repose his monks were commanded to such an extent that attend the slightest cry nearest church. This rule proved inconvenient when a monastery was situated in a desert or murmuring will never be heard at a distance from them; a city, and then they will zealously strive to procure for necessity compelled the ordination of some monks. By the close of the 5th Century, nearly all Eastern abbots had become [[deacons]], if not priests. The change spread more slowly in the West, where the office of abbot peace was commonly filled by laymen till the end of the 7th Century. The ecclesiastical leadership exercised by abbots despite their frequent lay status is proved by their attendance and reposevotes at ecclesiastical councils.''Thus at the [[Second Ecumenical Council]] in AD 448, 23 abbots signed with 30 bishops.<ref>Venables, Edmund (1911). "Abbot". In Chisholm, Hugh. Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.</ref>