Web Site Home - Theology Home - Hierarchy Home - Locations Home - Education Home - Stewardship Home - Links Home - Vendors Home - Alphabetical Index Home - Thesaurus Home - Sitemap Home - Arabic fonts Melkite Greek Catholic Church Information CenterPriests - 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. A priest can be the head of the Church in an parish or have a special assignment.Order of HierarchyThe order of hierarchy, beginning with the so-called minor orders and going up the ladder:
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 “Our Father Boutros The Priest Bisharah”. Honorary Title of StavrophorIn 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". Form of AddressForm of Address for one PriestThe word "Abouna" or "Abuna" is singular. For one priest, the singular form is used. Priests 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 priests are present. Then, the word "Abouna" can address or refer to any of the present priests. Then, to specify to which Abouna 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 priests with the same first name are present. Then, to specify to which Abouna 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 Father first name last name". Priests are not called "Abouna last name" or "Father last name". Form of Address for two PriestsThe word "al-Abawayn" is dual. For two priests, the dual form is used. For example, "Fathers Peter and Paul" is "al-Abawayn Boutros wa-Boulos. A formal example is "Hadrat al-Abawayn (Boutros wa-Boulos) al-muhtaramayn". Form of Address for three or more PriestsThe word "al-aabaa'" is plural, that is this word refers to three or more priests. For example, "Fathers Peter, Paul and John" is "al-aabaa' Boutros, Boulos wa-Yuhanna. A formal example is "Hadrat al-Aabaa' (Boutros wa-Boulos wa-Yuhanna) al-muhtarameen. Web Site Home - Theology Home - Hierarchy Home - Locations Home - Education Home - Stewardship Home - Links Home - Vendors Home - Alphabetical Index Home - Thesaurus Home - Sitemap Home - Arabic fonts Melkite Greek Catholic Church Information Center Martha Liles Web URL address: Melkite Greek Catholic Church Information Center or https://www.mliles.com/melkite/ E-mail: mliles@mliles.com or mliles@mliles.com Melkite Greek Catholic Church Information Center is
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dedicated to my cousins: Bucky (Richard C. Liles), Shirley (Shirley Jean Liles Buck), and Donna (Donna Bertha Liles Campbell). Bucky fell asleep in
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