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Melkite Greek Catholic Church Information Center

Archimandrites - Abounas / Abunas - Reverend Fathers

An archimandrite is the spiritual descendant/successor of the Holy Apostles. The Holy Apostles were appointed by Holy God the Son within the Holy Trinity / Our Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ to be His representatives on earth. Then, an archimandrite is the representative of Holy God the Son within the Holy Trinity / Our Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ on earth.

An archimandrite can be the head of the Church in an parish or have a special assignment.

Order of Hierarchy

The order of hierarchy, beginning with the so-called minor orders and going up the ladder:

1. Lector or reader
2. Sub-deacon
3. Deacon
4. Priest
   • then honorary titles
     • Archpriest - Highest highest honor given to a married priest. - Wears the silver pectoral cross and is called "The Right Reverend".
     • Archimandrite - Wears the silver pectoral cross and is called "The Right Reverend".
     • Mitred Archpriest
     • Mitred Archimandrite
5. Bishop
6. Archbishop (sometimes Metropolitan Archbishop)
7. Patriarch

Form of Address

Form of Address for one Archimandrite

The word "Abouna" or "Abuna" is singular. For one Archimandrite, the singular form is used.
Archimandrites are usually addressed and referred to as "Abouna" or "Abuna" which means "our father".
A formal example is Hadrat al-Ab al-muhtaram.
No first or last name is used.

In some situations, two or more Archimandrites are present. Then, the word "Abouna" can address or refer to any of the present Archimandrites. Then, to specify to which Archimandrite the person is addressing or refering to, "Abouna first name" is used.
For example, "Abouna Boutros" is used to distinguish from "Abouna Boulos".
The formal example is "Hadrat al-Abawayn (Boutros) al-muhtaramayn".

In some situations, two or more Archimandrites with the same first name are present. Then, to specify to which Archimandrite the person is addressing or refering to, "Abouna first name last name" is used.
For example, "Abouna Boutros Bisharah" is used to distinguish from "Abouna Boutros Diab".

The formal written title is "Abouna first name last name" or "Reverend Archimandrite first name last name".
For example, the English translation of the phrase “Abouna Boutros Bisharah” is “Archimandrite Reverend Boutros Bisharah".

Archimandrites are not called "Abouna last name" or "Archimandrite last name".

Honorary Title - Stavrophor

In 2002, His Excellency / Eparch / Bishop / Sayedna / Sayidna John Elya granted to all the Archimandrites and Priests - Abounas / Abunas - Reverend Fathers in the Melkite Greek Catholic Church Eparchy of Newton Roslindale, Massachusetts, United States the privilege of wearing a cross. Then, the all the Priests - Abounas / Abunas - Reverend Fathers are "Stavrophor". This Greek word means "Cross-bearer".
His Excellency / Eparch / Bishop / Sayedna / Sayidna John granted this privilege on the occasion of his 50th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood.

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Melkite Greek Catholic Church Information Center is dedicated to my cousins: Bucky (Richard C. Liles) and Shirley (Shirley Jean Liles Buck). Bucky fell asleep in the Lord on Dec. 12, 2000 and Shirley fell asleep in the Lord on Nov. 8, 2001.
O God of all spirits and of all flesh, who have destroyed death, overcome the devil, and given life to the world: grant, O Lord, to the souls of your servants Bucky and Shirley, who has departed from this life, that it may rest in a place of light, in a place of happiness, in a place of peace, where there is no pain, no grief, no sighing. And since You are a gracious God and the Lover of Mankind, forgive him/her every sin he/she has committed by thought, or word, or deed, for there is not a man who lives and does not sin : You alone are without sin, your righteousness is everlasting, and your word is true. You are the Resurrection and the Life, and the repose of your departed servants Bucky and Shirley. O Christ our God, and we send up glory to You, together with your eternal Father and your all-holy, good and life-givng Spirit, now and always and for ages upon ages. Amen.

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Last Updated: Sunday, August 22, 2010, 18:53:10, CDT
The current date and time is: Saturday, February 11, 2012, 06:54:24, CST or Saturday, February 11, 2012, 12:54:24, GMT