Abbot

An abbot (from the Hebrew ab, "a father", through the Syriac abba, Latin abbas (genitive form, abbatis), Old English abbad, ; German Abt; French abb?) is the head and chief governor of a community of monks, called also in the East hegumenos or archimandrite. The English version for a female monastic head is abbess.

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The title had its origin in the monasteries of Syria, spread through the eastern Mediterranean, and soon became accepted generally in all languages as the designation of the head of a monastery. At first it was employed as a respectful title for any monk, but it was soon restricted to the superior. The name "abbot" was in general use in western monastic orders. However, among the Dominicans, Carmelites, Augustinians, etc., the superior was called Praepositus, Provost, and Prior; among the Franciscans, Custos, "guardian"; and by the monks of Camaldoli, "Major."

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Monk: A monk is a person who practices monasticism, adopting a strict religious and ascetic lifestyle, usually in community with others following the same path. The word comes from the Greek monachos (μοναχός), commonly translated as a solitary person, and by convention ...

English: English in common usage may refer to:...

Abbess: An Abbess (Latin abbatissa, fem. form of abbas, abbot) is the female superior, or Mother Superior, of an...

Abbot related Images and Photos (experimental)

Abbot Lazzaro Spallanzani	Suger Abbot French Divine Historian Abbot of Saint-Denis	Abbot Moussa Senegal circa 1840	Tombstone of an Abbot of Saint-Denis: Adam Auteuil
Saints Anthony Abbot and Eligius - Painted Processional Banner	St. Anthony Abbot Holding the Book of the Antonites 1371	Saint Odo of Cluny Abbot of Cluny Saint and Musician	St. Dominic Enthroned as Abbot of Silos 1474
The Charity of St. Anthony Abbot	The Virgin and Child with St. George and St. Anthony the Abbot (Egg Tempera on Poplar)	The Albigenses are Crushed by a Crusade Largely Prosecuted by Inquisitor Arnaud Abbot of Citeaux