archimandrite

An archimandrite is a senior title and office in several Eastern Christian churches, including the Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Churches. The term derives from the Greek archimandritēs, from archi- “chief” and mandra “monastery” or “cell,” literally meaning “chief of the monastery.” In most traditions, an archimandrite is a monk who has been given a high monastic office, often the head of a large monastery or a group of monasteries, or a senior priest-monk with authority over monastic communities within a diocese.

In hierarchy, the archimandrite typically ranks above the regular abbot (hegumen) and below a bishop, though exact standing can vary by church. The title is usually conferred by a bishop or synod and does not itself entail episcopal ordination; many archimandrites remain priests (hieromonks) rather than bishops. The role commonly includes governance, spiritual oversight, and administration of the monastery or metochia, as well as representation of the monastery in diocesan affairs.

Usage varies by tradition. In Greek practice, archimandrites are often the heads of major monasteries or of several monasteries. In the Russian tradition, it is a formal rank for senior hieromonks who head monasteries or complexes and may be granted to those who supervise monastic institutions; some archimandrites are later ordained bishops. Among Eastern Catholic Churches of the Byzantine rite, archimandrite is a title for the superior of a monastery or a high monastic official within a diocese.