Woman who performs sacred rites for a religion
Apriestess is a woman authorized to perform thesacred rites and or duties of a religious organization,[1] often used forpagan, and witch-related titles, or positions. However, whilst very rare, some Christian-based women also use the title.[2] Within the Christian framework, the vast majority of ordained women either use "Priest", "Pastor", "Minister", "Deacon", "Deaconess", or "Elder". It is most commonly used to describe ancient traditions, though manyWiccan, Pagan,Druidic, and even some Christian women use this title as a religious title once ordained, even in the current present.[3][4][5]
The etymology ofpriestess refers to a "woman who officiates in sacred rites, a female minister of religion". Its origin dates back to the 1690s, from the combination ofpriest and the suffix-ess. An earlier form,priestress (mid-15c. prēsteresse), is noted, according to an etymological description via an online Etymology Dictionary, Etymonline.[6]
- In the Pagan and Wiccan witchcraft cult and coven societies, the term Priestess or High Priestess, is taken extremely seriously as a title of, a woman who is a teacher or leader, of a coven or cult.[7]
- A declared religious organization with theIRS, "The Church of Christian Spiritualism & Lifestyle", is a Non-denominational Christian ministry that is head shipped by a Christian Priestess.[8][9]
- The Non-denominational religious organization TheUniversal Life Church Monastery, offers this "The ULC grants honorary religious titles to ministers across the faith spectrum. Printed on high-quality paper, they are perfect for display or framing-". Among these titles is Priestess as well as High Priestess.[10]
- The Esoteric Interfaith Church est. 1987, has an "Esoteric Theological Seminary" Program that modern Pagans, Druids, Wiccans, or Spiritualists can use to become ordained as clergy. Amongst the titles in their "Other Minister Titles" section, is the "Esoteric Priestess" title.[11]
- In ancient Akkadia, female clergy of their faith, were known as entu Priestesses.[12]
- In ancient Egypt, women in clergy were called Priestesses.[13]
- In ancient Rome, women who ran and helped run temples were called "Priestess".[14]
