Proestos
Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature [1]
( Προεστώς ) , one of the names by which the early Church distinguished the teachers or preachers from the "brethren" ( 1 Timothy 5:17). Justin Martyr uses the term as synonymous with Ἱεράρχης , when he speaks of the Προεστώς as the person whose duty it is to consecrate the elements in the administration of the Lord's Supper (Apolog. 2, 67), a duty subsequently performed only by the bishop except in his absence. (Pepin's decree, A.D. 755, is as follows: "Nullus presbyter praesumat missas celebrare sine jussione episcopi in cujus parochia est." The Council of Arles laid similar restrictions upon deacons [canon 15].) The title Proestos was translated into Latin by Praepositus, whence the English word Provost (q.v.). See Coleman, Ancient Christianity Exemplified, p. 102 et al.; Siegel, Christ. Alterthiimer (see Index in vol. iv); Riddle, Christ. Antiquities, p. 211.
