Archpriest

An archpriest is the title of a priest which has supervisory duties over a number of parishes. The term is most often used in Eastern Orthodoxy, since the corresponding office in the Roman Catholic Church has been replaced by the vicar forane.

Related Topics:
Priest - Parish - Eastern Orthodoxy - Roman Catholic Church

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Much like the archdeacon was the head of the diaconate of a diocese in ancient times, the archpriest was first the chief of the presbyterium of the diocese. Eventually by the Middle Ages, the office evolved into the priest of the principal parish among several local parishes. This priest had general charge of worship in this archpresbyteriate, and the parishoners of the smaller parishes had to attend Sunday Mass and hold baptisms at the principal parish. The subordinate parishes instead held daily mass and homilies.

Related Topics:
Archdeacon - Presbyterium - Parish - Sunday - Mass - Baptism

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This system was soon changed, and by the time of the Council of Trent the office of archpriest was replaced by the office of vicar forane, also known as the "dean" in English. The oldest known use of this title comes from St. Charles Borromeo's reforms in his own diocese. Unlike vicars general and vicars episcopal, vicars forane are not prelates, which means they do not possess ordinary power. Their role is entirely supervisory, and they perform visitations for the bishop and report to the bishop or vicar general any problems in their vicariate.

Related Topics:
Council of Trent - Vicar - St. Charles Borromeo - Vicars general - Prelate - Ordinary

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The practice of having an archpriest has remained in Rome and in some countries like Malta.

Related Topics:
Rome - Malta

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The rectors of the major basilicas have the title archpriest. However, the title is entirely honorary, reflecting the fact that these churches held archpriestly status in Rome's past.

Related Topics:
Rector - Basilica

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