presbyter

Everyday

1. (church) An elder or leader of a local church in the early Christian Church. tree →
2. (church) In some churches, a priest; in Presbyterian churches, an elder who helps lead the congregation. tree →

In the lessons

Met in church history, Bible study and the names of churches: the Presbyterian Church is named after presbyters (elders) who lead it together. In the New Testament presbyters looked after the first Christian communities. Phrases: «the presbyters of the church», «ordained a presbyter».

Examples

• In the early Church, presbyters cared for the believers in each town. tree →
• The Bible says Paul met the presbyters of the church in Ephesus. tree →
• Our church is Presbyterian, which means it is led by elders. tree →
• A presbyter helped the bishop with services. tree →
• The new presbyter was ordained on Sunday. tree →
• In some churches the word presbyter means the same as priest. tree →

Note

Formal and churchy; everyday words are «elder» or «priest». The word «priest» actually comes from «presbyter». Related: «Presbyterian», «presbytery» (a group of elders, or a priest's house in Catholic use).