Priestess (religious honorific)

See also: Ordination of women

A priestess is a woman authorized to perform the sacred rites and or duties of a religious organization, ^[1] often used for pagan, 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 many Wiccan, Pagan, Druidic, and even some Christian women use this title as a religious title once ordained, even in the current present. ^{[3] [4] [5]}

Etymology

The etymology of priestess refers to a "woman who officiates in sacred rites, a female minister of religion". Its origin dates back to the 1690s, from the combination of priest 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]

Examples of use

• 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 the IRS, "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 The Universal 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]

References

1. Dictionary, Miriam Webster. "Priestess Dictionary definition".
2. Lewis (republish), C.S. ""Priestesses in the church?" By Episcopalnet.org". www.episcopalnet.org (Tracts of our times) – via Episcopalnet.org.
3. "How to become Pagan clergy".
4. "Priestess definition".
5. "Process of Ordination | ChurchofChristianspiritualismandLifestyle". free-3829119.webador.com.
6. "priestess | Etymology of priestess by etymonline". www.etymonline.com.
7. Lady Serpent (5 October 2013). "The Keeper's path".
8. "Church of Christian Spiritualism & Lifestyle, Lynnwood, Washington". www.unitedstateschurches.com.
9. Spiritualism & Lifestyle, Church of Christian. "CCSL Process of Ordination page".
10. "Universal Life Church Monastery (The Monastery)".
11. Esoteric Theological Seminary, Esoteric Interfaith Church. "Ordination".
12. "Degruyterbrill "Chapter 25 from the book, Women in the ancient near east"". doi:10.1515/9781614512639-027.
13. "Worldhistory.org".
14. "Ancient Rome Live".