protopope

[ proh-tuh-pohp ]

/ ˈproʊ təˌpoʊp /

the ranking priest in a cathedral of the Eastern Church.

Also called protopresbyter.

Origin of protopope

1655–65; < Russian protopóp < Late Greek protopapâs. See proto-, pope

Then, hurriedly going up to the protopope, whispered something in his ear.

The Green Book |Mr Jkai
Under Peter's father one of the Raskol leaders, the protopope Avvakum, denounced "these bold-faced" men—bold-faced meaning shaven.

Lippincott's Magazine Of Popular Literature And Science, April 1875, Vol. XV., No. 88 |Various
One day I entered it, when the protopope, or dean, was baptizing an infant.

The Baptist Magazine, Vol. 27, January, 1835 |Various