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Melkite Greek Catholic Church Information Center

Priests - Abounas / Abunas - Reverend Fathers

A priest 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, a priest is the representative of Holy God the Son within the Holy Trinity / Our Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ on earth.

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

Title of "Abouna / Abona / Abuna"

The word "Abouna / Abona / Abuna" means "our father" (small f) . This word is used for priests. The word "Abana" means "our Father" (capital / uppercase F). This word is used for Holy God the Father . The word "Abana" is the first word of the "The Lord's Prayer"

Honorary Title of "Khoury" or "Khouri"

The Arabic word "Khoury" or "Khouri" is a title meaning “Priest”. It is the custom for Melkite Greek Catholic priests to add this title prior to their family name. Then, the English translation of the phrase “Abouna Boutros Khoury Bisharah” is “Father Boutros The Priest Bisharah”.

Honorary Title of Stavrophor

In 2002, His Excellency / Eparch / Bishop / Sayedna / Sayidna John Elya granted to all the 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.

Form of Address

Priest are usually addressed and referred to as "Abouna" or "Abuna" which means "our father" . However, if in a situation, the word "Abouna" can refer to more than one priest, then "Abouna first name" is used.
Additionally, if in a situation, the words "Abouna first name" can refer to more than one priest, then "Abouna first name last name" is used.
The formal written title is "Abouna first name last name" or "Reverend Father first name last name".
Priests are not called "Abouna last name" or "Father last name".
For example, then, the English translation of the phrase “Abouna Boutros Bisharah” is “Father Boutros Bisharah". Usually, this priest would be referred to as "Abouna". However, if in a situation, the word "Abouna" can refer to more than one priest, then "Abouna Boutros" is used. Additionally, if in a situation, the words "Abouna Boutros" can refer to more than one priest, then "Abouna Boutros Bisharah" is used.

Archpriest and Archimandrite are usually addressed and referred to as "Right Reverend". If in a situation, the word "Right Reverend" can refer to more than one Archpriest and / or Archimandrite, then "Right Reverend first name" is used.
The formal written title is "Right Reverend first name last name".
Archpriests and Archimandrites are not called "Right Reverend last name".

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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: Wednesday, September 12, 2007, 07:53:26, PDT
The current date and time is: Friday, August 08, 2008, 14:09:52, PDT or Friday, August 08, 2008, 21:09:52, GMT