(PRES bi ter)(Gr : "elder"): In the early *Church bishops were the principal *celebrants of the * Divine Liturgy, aided by the *deacons It was not until later, as the Church expanded, that the position of presbyter (already attested in the New Testament) became more prominent, for then the presbyter became the local head of a congregation in the place of the bishop
The actual, official name for an Episcopal priest The word is a Celtic contradiction of the Greek word presbyteros, meaning "elder " The presbyter represents the bishop in a parish or mission, as he or she has since the earliest of Church times, when older members of a congregation were chosen to represent the bishop
(Gr "elder") A priest in charge of a parish A protopresbyter is an honorary title granted by a bishop in acknowledgement of service to the church
The Greek word presbuteros is used in the New Testament for people who perform the functions of clergy in the Church It means elder The English word that developed over time from presbyter is priest (Note the progression from presbyter to prester to priest ) The qualifications for presbyters are given in 1 Timothy 5, but their duties are not listed in scripture The office, function, and name came into the Church from the ancient synagogue