Melkite Greek Catholic Church Information Center Archpriests - Abounas / Abunas

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

An archpriest 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:

Lector or reader
Sub-deacon
Deacon
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
Bishop
Archbishop (sometimes Metropolitan Archbishop)
Patriarch

Form of Address

Form of Address for one Priest

The word "Abouna" or "Abuna" is singular. For one Archpriest, 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 Archpriests are present. Then, the word "Abouna" can address or refer to any of the present Archpriests. Then, to specify to which Archpriest 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 Archpriests with the same first name are present. Then, to specify to which Archpriest 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 Archpriest first name last name".
For example, the English translation of the phrase “Abouna Boutros Bisharah” is “Archpriest Reverend Boutros Bisharah".

Archpriests 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 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.

Melkite Greek Catholic Church Information Center
Martha Liles
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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-giving Spirit, now and always and for ages upon ages. Amen.

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