noun
- Plural of hegumen; the heads or abbots of Eastern Orthodox or Eastern Christian monasteries.
Usage: religious; Eastern Orthodox/Christian context; plural form
Examples
- The hegumenes of the region gathered for the annual synod.
- Several hegumenes from Mount Athos attended the ecclesiastical council.
- The hegumenes were responsible for the spiritual welfare of their monastic communities.
- Ancient texts describe the duties of hegumenes in Byzantine monasteries.