Talk:Archpriest

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Perhaps it would be good if someone could explain the vestments that a priest wears? It might be interesting.


I think it would be useful if someone explained what a pectoral cross is, and maybe a photo?

I think that there needs to be better definitions of the terminology in this stub.

What about including how a priest becomes an archpriest? I think that is important.

Does anyone know why the Greek and Slavic practices for wearing a pectoral cross differ?


Hello, again, Crash. I rolled back the page to the earlier version because it is more in the accepted style. You've asked some great questions. Check out Vestments for an explanation of who's wearing what. No pics yet, but that would be a great addition.
Perhaps "pectoral cross" needs its own article, but it's a cross worn around the neck on a chain. It falls on the chest; thus, pectoral.
The legend I've heard as to why all priests wear crosses in the Slavic tradition is that a Czar got tired of going up to deacons, mistaking them for priests, and asking for a blessing (deacons don't bless and when wearing exorassa—clerical street clothes—are indistinguishable from priests). I have no idea if this is true or not. —[[User:Dcndavid|—Dcn. David talk contribs]] 10:09, 9 Jul 2005 (EDT)

Some differences

My understanding of Greek practice is slightly different. What distinguishes a Greek protopresbyter is that he may wear a pectoral cross all the time, while lower ranks may wear the pectoral cross only at certain times, e.g., only during the Divine Liturgy.

Another difference between the two traditions is that for Greeks, one may wear a pectoral cross of any color, with ot without jewels. Difference in rank is evidenced by when one can wear the cross. In the Slavic tradition, all priests are given a silver cross at ordination. If they are elevated to archpriest, they are given a gold cross. They can then be awared a jewled gold cross later.

One should also mention the Slavic practice of mitered archpriests -- this is an archpriest who may wear the miter, making him analagous to an archimandrite. The OCA dispensed with mitered archpriests some time ago, but Russia maintains the practice. --Fr Lev 08:39, March 2, 2006 (CST)

As far as I know, a priest will recieve the gold cross before the elevation to protopriest, and the same goes with the jewelled cross and the mitre (jewelled cross first and then the mitre), but that is in my church(Ukrainian Orthodox)...--AKCGY 22:37, July 28, 2006 (CDT)

A Priest wearing a Cross is called "Stavrofor" ("Stavro-foros" = "Cross-bearer"). There are also "Iconom" ("Eikonomos" = Administrator/Care-taker/Economist), etc. These all are elevations in priestly dignity, done by the Bishop. (i.e., all these people are allready Priests, but they now also serve other specific tasks as well). Luci83ro 11:20, July 20, 2006 (CDT)

Archpriest/Protopriest

Here's one that stumps me...is it protopriest or archpriest? I raise this question because all other clergy ranks with "proto" in it are married clergy titles (protodeacon, protopresbyter (in Ukrainian the title in question is "protoereij")), while all titles with "arch" in the spelling are monastic clergy titles (archimandrite, archdeacon, etc...).

In my mind, I would name it "protopriest" due to the "evidence," but I have no authority on the official title...--AKCGY 22:53, July 28, 2006 (CDT)

AFAIK, the Greeks don't have a priestly elevation entitled 'archpriest' because 'Α