- High priest
The term "high priest" may refer to an individual who holds the office of ruler-priest, or may refer to the head of a
religious caste .
* Inancient Egypt , a high priest was the chiefpriest of any of the manygod s revered by the Egyptians.
* In Ancient Greek,Archiereus is one of several titles for high priests, in Greek an/or rendered in Greek, which literally translates as 'Arch-hierarch', i.e. head of the (priestly) hierarchy
* InHawaii , the high priest is calledKahuna Nui and presides over the temple orheiau . Below the Kahuna Nui are various types and ranks of priests.
* InÁsatrú , the high priest is called a "goði" (or "gyða") and is the leader of a small group of practitioners collectively referred to as aKindred . The goði are collectively known as the "goðar".
* InChristianity a high priest could sometimes be compared with thePope in theRoman Catholic Church , aPatriarch in an Eastern Orthodox Church, or a Primate in anAnglican or Episcopal church; but it is traditional to refer only toJesus as the one high priest of Christianity. In all episcopal bodies, except in theAnglican Communion and the superintended Lutheran churches,bishop s are also referred to as high priests, as they are believed to share in, that is: are considered earthly instruments of, the high priesthood of Jesus Christ.
* InThe Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and other Latter Day Saint sects, High Priest is also a priesthood office in theMelchizedek Priesthood .
* InDruidry , all members would be considered priests due to the historical role of the Druids as the priestly class of theCelts andGauls . A "high priest" would likely be referred to as an Elder and would be a person who has practiced Druidry for a considerable amount of time.
* InJudaism and Samaritanism, a high priest is called aKohen Gadol . The office is no longer filled in mainstream Judaism while there is no functioning Temple, thus only the Samaritans (Foreign deportees mingled with local Israelite remnants who in the 800's/500's BC developed a divergent Jewish sect around the hills of Samaria under their own high priest) have had an active high priest after the year70 AD
* Inancient Rome , the high priest was known as "Pontifex Maximus " (Great Bridge-Builder). The office was usually filled by a leading politician, rather than by a full-time priest. "Pontifex Maximus " continues to be one of the titles of thePopes .
* InSanteria , a high priest is called aBabalao . The term comes from the supreme priest of Santería, a protege of Orula. The term means wise man.
* InShinto , a high priest, called aGuji , is usually the highest ranking priest (Kannushi ) in a shrine.
* InWicca a High Priest and High Priestess are able to lead a coven and initiate others.:"In other religions, cultures or faiths the meaning of this term may vary."* In
Rider Waite Tarot ,The High Priestess is one of theMajor Arcana cards.
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