Antistes

Antistes This title appears to have been common to bishops and presbyters in the early Church. As the name sacerdos is common to both estates in respect to the offices of divine service, which were performed by both, so in respect of the government of the Church in which they were associated, we find them designated alike-sometimes as "presbyters," as marking their age and dignity; sometimes' in respect of their "cure" or charge, as "antistites" praepositi. For example, in the first canon of the Council of Antioch, A.D. 341, the bishop and presbyter are both expressly: classed together thus, and the' corresponding title of "antistites" is evidently extended to the second order of the ministry by St. Augustine. This usage of the word agrees with that of archisynagogus in the Jewish synagogue, and may have been suggested by it.