protopope

noun

pro·​to·​pope

ˈprōtəˌpōp

: the first in rank of the priests of a cathedral in the Eastern Church who administers the diocese during the absence of the bishop or a vacancy in the see

Word History

Etymology

Russian protopop, from Middle Greek prōtopapas chief priest, from Greek prōt- prot- + Middle Greek papas priest, from Greek, title of bishops, literally, papa

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