High priest

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The term "high priest" may refer to an individual who holds the office of ruler-priest, or may refer to the head of a religious caste.

• In ancient Egypt, a high priest was the chief priest of any of the many gods revered by the Egyptians.
• In Ancient Greek, Archiereus is one of several titles for high priests, in Greek an/or rendered in Greek, which literally translates as 'Arch-hierarch', i.e. head of the (priestly) hierarchy
• In Hawaii, the high priest is called Kahuna Nui and presides over the temple or heiau. Below the Kahuna Nui are various types and ranks of priests.

• In Judaism and Samaritanism, a high priest is called a Kohen Gadol. The office is no longer filled in mainstream Judaism while there is no functioning Temple, thus only the Samaritans have a High Priest {According to Samaritan sources a civil War broke out between the Sons of Itamar {Eli (Bible)} and the Sons of Phineas-which resulted in the division of those who followed Eli and those who followed High Priest Uzzi ben Bukki at Mount Gerizim Bethel {A third group followed neither}. Likewise according to Samaritan sources the high Priests line of the sons of Phineas died out in 1624 C.E. with the death of the 112th High Priest Shlomyah ben Pinhas when the priesthood was transferred to the sons of Itamar; see article Samaritan for list of High Priests from from 1613 to 2004-the 131st High priest of the Samaritans is Elazar ben Tsedaka ben Yitzhaq}
• In ancient Rome, the high priest was known as "Pontifex Maximus" (Great Bridge-Builder). The office was usually filled by a leading politician, rather than by a full-time priest. Pontifex Maximus continues to be one of the titles of the Popes.
• In Christianity a high priest could sometimes be compared with the Pope in the Roman Catholic Church, a Patriarch in an Eastern Orthodox Church, or a Primate in an Anglican or Episcopal church; but it is traditional to refer only to Jesus as the one high priest of Christianity. In all episcopal bodies, except in the Anglican Communion and the superintended Lutheran churches, bishops are also referred to as high priests, as they are believed to share in, that is: are considered earthly instruments of, the high priesthood of Jesus Christ.
• In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and other Latter Day Saint sects, High Priest is also a priesthood office in the Melchizedek Priesthood.
• In Shinto, a high priest, called a Guji, is usually the highest ranking priest (Kannushi) in a shrine.
• In Ásatrú, the high priest is called a goði (or gyða) and is the leader of a small group of practitioners collectively referred to as a Kindred. The goði are collectively known as the goðar.
• In Santeria, a high priest is called a Babalao. The term comes from the supreme priest of Santería, a protege of Orula. The term means wise man.
• In Wicca a High Priest and High Priestess are able to lead a coven and initiate others.

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