antistes
9.9
A senior person who leads some Protestant churches, often in Switzerland
- noun
- Archaic
:
antistes
- He notes, first of all, that Boniface was sent by Gregory II as "antistes of the Roman Seat" (no. 9), a word that affirms Gregory as bishop but makes no linguistic reference to his primacy.
Examples
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The role of the antistes was crucial in guiding the church's leaders during the Reformation in Switzerland.
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During the council, the antistes addressed the congregation, emphasizing the importance of faith and unity.
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In early Christianity, an antistes often acted as a mediator between the church and the community.
Synonyms
1
8.9
The leader of a religious order who looks after many communities
is used for senior leaders in Protestant churches often in Switzerland
Surface Forms
Etymology
The word antistes comes from Latin parts ante- 'before' and stare 'to stand', so it originally meant 'one who stands in front'. That's why an antistes is a senior church official who 'stands in front' to lead and guide the congregation.