The title archimandrite, used in Eastern Christianity, originally referred to a superior abbot whom a bishop appointed to supervise several “ordinary” abbots and monasteries, or as the abbot of some especially great and important monastery. In the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Eastern Catholic Churches,

“archimandrite” is most often used purely as a title of honor and is bestowed on a hieromonk as a mark of respect or gratitude for service to the Church.

Eastern Christianity

Christian traditions originating from Greek- and Syriac-speaking populations

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