high priests
Chief religious officials
High priests are the chief religious figures in certain traditions, especially ancient Judaism, where the high priest oversaw Temple worship and entered the Holy of Holies on the Day of Atonement.
Figuratively, high priests are the most authoritative voices in any field: the high priests of fashion, high priests of literary criticism.
The term often carries a note of irony, suggesting excessive reverence or insider gatekeeping.
Sacred ritual table
- incenseAnger greatly, or aromatic resin
- vestmentsCeremonial religious attire
- sacrificeGiving up something precious
- liturgyFormal worship structure
consecration · purification · invocation · offerings · ablution · sacrament · tabernacle · sanctuary
Inherited cultural legacy
- customsTraditional practices or import taxes
- ancestorsThose from whom one descends
- loreTraditional knowledge transmitted orally
- orthodoxyAdherence to accepted beliefs
continuity · preservation · lineage · rites · sacredness · succession · hereditary · temple
Diocesan clergy head
- cardinalOf foremost importance
- archbishopSenior prelate over province
- patriarchMale head of family
- prelateSenior church official
pontiff · monsignor · abbot · dean · elder · hierophant · flamen · druid
Legal authority's scope
- ecclesiasticalRelating to church matters
- theocracyRule by religious authority
- papacyPope's office and authority
- pontificateSpeak in dogmatic manner
patriarchate · episcopate · canon · encyclical · apostolic · canonical · synod · diocese
Magnetic personal appeal
- guidanceAdvice for decisions
- teachingsTransmitted knowledge or principles
- prestigeReputation commanding admiration
- reverenceProfound admiring respect
wisdom · inspiration · piety · spirituality · devotion · mentorship · leadership · sway
altar
Sacred ritual table
- incenseAnger greatly, or aromatic resin
- vestmentsCeremonial religious attire
- sacrificeGiving up something precious
liturgy · consecration · purification · invocation · offerings · ablution · sacrament · tabernacle · sanctuary · oracle
heritage
Inherited cultural legacy
- customsTraditional practices or import taxes
- ancestorsThose from whom one descends
- loreTraditional knowledge transmitted orally
orthodoxy · continuity · preservation · lineage · rites · sacredness · succession · hereditary · temple · covenant
bishop
Diocesan clergy head
- cardinalOf foremost importance
- archbishopSenior prelate over province
- patriarchMale head of family
prelate · pontiff · monsignor · abbot · dean · elder · hierophant · flamen · druid · ayatollah
jurisdiction
Legal authority's scope
- ecclesiasticalRelating to church matters
- theocracyRule by religious authority
- papacyPope's office and authority
pontificate · patriarchate · episcopate · canon · encyclical · apostolic · canonical · synod · diocese · ordination
charisma
Magnetic personal appeal
- guidanceAdvice for decisions
- teachingsTransmitted knowledge or principles
- prestigeReputation commanding admiration
reverence · wisdom · inspiration · piety · spirituality · devotion · mentorship · leadership · sway · clout
- occultistswitches, wizards, sorcerers, sorceresses, warlocks
- Roman JudeaJudea, Masada, Pontius Pilate, Herod the Great, Second Temple
- LDS ChurchJoseph Smith, apostle, Brigham Young, bishop, ward
- eliteelite, elites, aristocrats, nobility, best
- Biblical PeoplesIsraelites, Israelite, Hebrews, Hebrew, Jews
- clergybishop, pope, nun, monk, pastor
high priestslaypeople
Those outside a profession
laity · congregants · parishioners · worshippers · uninitiated
high, priest, higher, highest, hierarchy, priests, priesthood, priestly, high priest