The term the Reverend is used as an honorary prefix to the names of many Christian clergy and ministers. A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, a monotheistic Religion centered on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth Clergy is the generic term used to describe the formal religious leadership within a given Religion. In Christian churches, a minister is someone who is authorized by a church or religious organization to perform clergy functions such as teaching of beliefs The prefix is correctly called a style rather than a title or form of address. A style of office, or honorific, is a term which by Tradition or Law precedes a reference to a person who holds a post or Title, or to the It is sometimes also used by leaders in non-Christian religions such as Buddhism. Buddhism is a family of beliefs and practices

Contents 1 Usage 2 Variations 2.1 Anglican Churches 2.2 Catholic Churches 2.3 Protestant Churches 2.3.1 Presbyterian Churches 2.4 Eastern Orthodox Churches 2.5 Oxford University 2.6 Judaism 3 Theological controversy 4 Notes and references

Usage

In traditional English usage it is considered incorrect to drop the word "the" before "Reverend". English is a West Germanic language originating in England and is the First language for most people in the United Kingdom, the United States When used within a sentence "the" begins with a lower-case letter. The common abbreviations for "the Reverend" are "the Rev", "the Revd" and "the Rev'd".

Although there is no distinct plural form it is not uncommon to find "the Reverends" used. This is grammatically incorrect since, in English, adjectives do not decline according to number. When a number of clergy are referred to they should be styled individually, e. g. "The Reverend John Smith and the Reverend Hank Brown". In a list of clergy, however, "the Revv" is sometimes put before the list of names.

"The Reverend" is traditionally used with Christian names (or initials) and surname, such as "The Reverend John Smith" or "The Reverend J. F. Smith". Use of the prefix with the surname alone ("The Reverend Smith") is considered a solecism in traditional usage (although "The Reverend Father Smith" or "The Reverend Mr Smith" are correct though somewhat old-fashioned uses). Brewer's ''Dictionary of Phrase and Fable'' explains solecism as follows Misapplication of words an expression opposed to the laws of syntax so called from the So also with the use of the prefix as a form of address: in some countries Anglican priests are often addressed by the title of their office, such as "Vicar", "Rector" or "Archdeacon". In the broadest sense a vicar (from the Latin Vicarius) is a representative anyone acting "in the person of" or agent for a superior The word rector ("ruler" from the Latin regere and Rector meaning "Teacher" In Latin has a number of different meanings but all of them indicate an academic A position of archdeacon is a senior position in Anglicanism, Syrian Malabar Nasrani, and in some other Christian denominations above that of most They may also be addressed simply as "Mr Smith". In many Protestant churches, especially in the United States, ordained ministers are often addressed as "Pastor" (as in "Pastor John" or "Pastor Smith"). A pastor is an official person within a Protestant group of people and related to the positions of Priest or Bishop within the Anglican, Roman Catholic Some titles, such as Canon, may be used together with the Christian name or both names, for example, "Canon John" or "Canon John Smith". A canon (from the Latin canonicus, itself derived from the Greek κανωνικος 'relating to a rule' is a priest who is a member of certain bodies of the Orthodox and Roman Catholic priests are usually addressed as "Father", whether as "Father John" or "Father Smith". This latter practice has become more common in the Anglican Churches since the Oxford Movement but, naturally, the appellation does not apply to women clergy. The Oxford Movement or Tractarianism was an affiliation of High Church Anglicans, most of whom were members of the University of Oxford, who sought Some female clergy in the Anglican Communion use and prefer the style "Reverend Mother" or "Mother" and others prefer being called by their first names. See also Anglicanism The Anglican Communion is an international association of national Anglican churches

In the 20th and 21st centuries, it has been increasingly common to find clergy referred to as "Reverend" (without "the" preceding "Reverend") and / or addressed, for example, as "Reverend Smith". This is more common among more recently established churches.

Variations

"The Reverend" may be modified to reflect ecclesiastical standing and rank. Modifications vary across Christian traditions. Some examples are:

Anglican Churches

• Deacons are styled either as "the Reverend", "the Reverend Deacon", or "the Reverend Mr" (males), or "the Reverend Mrs, Ms or Miss" (females). Deacon is a role in the Christian Church that is generally associated with service of some kind but which varies among theological and denominational traditions
• Priests are usually styled either as "the Reverend", "the Reverend Father" or "the Reverend Mother" (even if not a religious). A priest or priestess is a person having the authority or power to administer religious rites in particular rites of sacrifice to and propitiation of a deity or deities Less frequently, male priests are styled as "the Reverend Mr" and females as "the Reverend Mrs, Ms or Miss".
• Heads of some women's religious orders are styled as "the Reverend Mother" (even if not ordained). A religious order is a lineage of communities and organizations of people who live in some way set apart from society in accordance with their specific religious devotion usually
• Canons are often styled as "the Reverend Canon". A canon (from the Latin canonicus, itself derived from the Greek κανωνικος 'relating to a rule' is a priest who is a member of certain bodies of the
• Deans are styled as "the Very Reverend". A dean, in a church context is a Cleric holding certain positions of authority within a religious hierarchy
• Archdeacons are usually styled as "the Venerable" ("the Ven"). A position of archdeacon is a senior position in Anglicanism, Syrian Malabar Nasrani, and in some other Christian denominations above that of most The Venerable is used as a style or epithet in several Christian churches.
• Abbesses, abbots and bishops are styled as "the Right Reverend". An abbess ( Latin abbatissa fem form of abbas Abbot) is the female superior, or Mother Superior, of an Abbey The word abbot, meaning Father, is a title given to the head of a Monastery in various traditions including Christianity. A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight
• Archbishops and primates are styled as "the Most Reverend". In Christianity, an archbishop is an elevated Bishop. In the Roman Catholic Church, the Anglican Communion and others this means that they lead Primate (from the Latin Primus, "first" is a title or rank bestowed on some Bishops in certain Christian churches

Catholic Churches

• A deacon: "The Reverend Mister" (while an old-fashioned title once used for a priest, this title is frequently used in the U. Deacon is a role in the Christian Church that is generally associated with service of some kind but which varies among theological and denominational traditions S. for transitional deacons, and permanent deacons depending upon individual diocesan usage)
• Secular Priests: "The Reverend"
• Priests who are members of mendicant or monastic orders: "The Reverend Father"
• Priests with various grades of jurisdiction above pastor (vicars general, judicial vicars, ecclesiastical judges, episcopal vicars, provincials of religious orders of priests, priors of monasteries, deans, for instance): "The Very Reverend"
• Abbots of monasteries: "The Right Reverend"
• Abbesses of convents: "The Mother Superior", with their convent's name following, e. A priest or priestess is a person having the authority or power to administer religious rites in particular rites of sacrifice to and propitiation of a deity or deities A vicar general (often abbreviated VG) is the principal deputy of the bishop of a diocese for the exercise of administrative authority In the Roman Catholic Church, a judicial vicar is an officer of the Diocese who has ordinary power to judge cases in the diocesan Ecclesiastical court A vicar general (often abbreviated VG) is the principal deputy of the bishop of a diocese for the exercise of administrative authority Prior is a Title, derived from the Latin adjective for 'earlier first' with several notable uses A dean, in a church context is a Cleric holding certain positions of authority within a religious hierarchy The word abbot, meaning Father, is a title given to the head of a Monastery in various traditions including Christianity. An abbess ( Latin abbatissa fem form of abbas Abbot) is the female superior, or Mother Superior, of an Abbey g. "The Mother Superior of the Poor Clares of Boston" in written form while being referred to simply as "Mother Superior" in speech. ^[1]
• Supernumeraries apostolic, Honorary prelates, and Chaplains of His Holiness: "The Reverend Monsignor"
• Bishops and archbishops: "The Most Reverend" in the United States and Ireland. Monsignor, pl monsignori is the form of address for those members of the Clergy of the Catholic Church holding certain Ecclesiastical Monsignor, pl monsignori is the form of address for those members of the Clergy of the Catholic Church holding certain Ecclesiastical A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight In Christianity, an archbishop is an elevated Bishop. In the Roman Catholic Church, the Anglican Communion and others this means that they lead In Great Britain and some countries of the Commonwealth, bishops are styled "The Right Reverend" and archbishops are styled "The Most Reverend".

However, none of these are ever addressed as "Reverend" or "The Reverend" alone. Instead, deacons are addressed as "Deacon"; priests are addressed as "Father"; honorary prelates as "Monsignor"; bishops and archbishops as "Your Excellency" (or "Your Grace" for archbishops in the United Kingdom and some other countries).

Protestant Churches

In some countries, such as the United States, the term "Pastor" (such as "Pastor Smith" in more formal address or "Pastor John" in less formal) is often used rather than "the Reverend". "The Reverend", however, is still often used in more formal or official written communication.

Presbyterian Churches

The Moderators of the General Assemblies of the Church of Scotland, the Presbyterian Church in Ireland and United Church of Canada, when ordained clergy, are styled "the Right Reverend" during their year of service and "the Very Reverend" afterwards. The Moderator of the General Assembly is the chairperson of a General Assembly, the highest court of a Presbyterian church The Church of Scotland (Eaglais na h-Alba known informally by its Scots language name The Kirk, is the National church of Scotland. The Presbyterian Church in Ireland (or PCI (Eaglais Phreispitéireach in Éirinn, operating seamlessly across the border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern The United Church of Canada was founded in 1925 as a merger of four Christian denominations two thirds of the Presbyterian Church in Canada (then the largest Canadian Protestant Church ministers are styled "the Reverend". Moderators of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) are styled simply "the Reverend". The Presbyterian Church (USA or PC (USA is a mainline Protestant Christian denomination in the United States. By tradition in the Church of Scotland, the ministers of St Giles' Cathedral, Edinburgh, (also known as the High Kirk of Edinburgh), and Paisley Abbey, are styled "the Very Reverend". A prominent feature of the Edinburgh skyline St Giles' Cathedral or the High Kirk of Edinburgh is a Church of Scotland place of worship decorating the Paisley Abbey is a former Cluniac Monastery, and current Church of Scotland Parish Kirk, located on the east bank of the White

Eastern Orthodox Churches

• A deacon is referred to as "the Reverend Deacon" (or Hierodeacon, Archdeacon, Protodeacon, according to ecclesiastical elevation), while in spoken use the title "Father" is used (sometimes "Father Deacon").
• A married priest is "the Reverend Father", a monastic priest is "the Reverend Hieromonk"; a protopresbyter is "the Very Reverend Father"; and an archimandrite is either "the Very Reverend Father" (Greek practice) or "the Right Reverend Father" (Russian practice). All are simply addressed as "Father".
• Abbots and abbesses are styled "the Very Reverend Abbot / Abbess", and are addressed as "Father" and "Mother", respectively.
• A bishop is referred to as "the Right Reverend Bishop" and addressed as "Your Grace" (or "Your Excellency").
• An archbishop or metropolitan as "the Most Reverend Archbishop / Metropolitan" and addressed as "Your Eminence".
• Heads of autocephalous and autonomous churches are styled differently, according to their rank and seniority.

Oxford University

The Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University is formally known as "The Reverend the Vice-Chancellor" even if he or she is not a member of the clergy. A Vice-Chancellor (commonly called the VC) of a University in England, Wales, Northern Ireland, New Zealand, The University of Oxford (informally "Oxford University" or simply "Oxford" located in the city of Oxford, Oxfordshire, England is the

Judaism

Most Jewish ministers of religion have the title Rabbi, which denotes that they have received rabbinical ordination (semicha). Rabbi (pronunciation, although in English usually) in Judaism, means a religious ‘teacher’ or more literally ‘my great one’ when addressing any master Semicha (סמיכה "leaning the hands" also semichut (סמיכות "ordination" or semicha lerabbanut (סמיכה לרבנות "rabbinical It is, however, not essential to be a rabbi to practise as a Jewish 'minister of religion'. In particular, few cantors (chazzanim) are rabbis, but many are empowered to perform such functions as witnessing marriages. "Hazan" and "Chazan" redirect here For people named Hazan or Chazan see Hazan (disambiguation Growing importance of the office In this case they often use the style 'the Reverend'.

Theological controversy

Some Christians, particularly members of the Churches of Christ, but also some Baptist groups, reject using the term 'reverend' for people, instead maintaining that it should be reserved for God alone. The Churches of Christ discussed Baptist is a term describing individuals belonging to a Baptist church or a Baptist denomination. ^[2] The word "reverend" is used only once in any English translations of the Bible, and then only in such archaic versions as the KJV and ASV:

[God] sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant forever: holy and reverend is his name. ^[3]

Some newer Bible translations deem other words, such as 'awesome,' to better communicate the meaning of the Hebrew word נוֹרָא into modern English.

Others assert that even the apostles refused to be revered and that they claimed they were only men. From this principle the Churches of Christ typically refer to their preachers as "ministers" or "evangelists" and some Baptists use the term "minister" or "pastor".

25 And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him.
26 But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man. ^[4]

Some Christians also object to the use of "Father" as a form of address for Catholic, Orthodox and Anglican clergy and to the use of "Rabbi" (teacher) for Jewish religious leaders, citing Jesus' teaching in the gospel according to Matthew.

8 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.
9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. ^[5]

Notes and references

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