PAPA

( Πάππας , Greek.) A name originally given to the bishops of the Christian Church, though now it is become in the West the pretended prerogative and sole privilege of the pope, or bishop of Rome. The word signifies no more than father . Tertullian, speaking indefinitely of any Christian bishop who absolves penitents, gives him the name of Benedictus Papa . Heraclas, bishop of Alexandria, has the same title given him. St. Jerome gives the title of Papa to A than as i us, Epiphanius, and Paul in us; and, writing often to St. Augustine, he always inscribes his epistles Beati imo Papæ August i no . The name Papa was sometimes given to the inferior clergy, who were called Papæ Pisinni , that is, little fathers ; in comparison of whom Balsam on calls presbyters Protopapæ , i.e. chief fathers . The Greek Christians have continued to give the name Papa to their priests. And there is, in all Oriental cathedrals, and at Me ina in Sicily, (where Oriental customs are largely retained,) there was formerly an ecclesiastical dignitary styled Pro to papa , who, besides a jurisdiction over several churches, had a particular respect paid him by the cathedral. For, upon Whit sunday, the prebendaries went in proce ion to the Pro to papa’s church, (called the Catholic ,) and attended him to the cathedral, where he sang solemn Vespers , according to the Greek rituals, and was afterwards waited upon back to his own church with the same pompous respect. The Vespers, and the Epistle and Gospel, at Pentecost, are still sung by Greek priests.— Pirri-Sicilia Sacra. (See Pops .)