Abbess
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An abbess is the female superior of a community of nuns in an abbey.
Eufemia Szaniawska, Abbess of the Benedictine Monastery in Nieśwież with a crosier, c. 1768, National Museum in Warsaw
Abbess Joanna van Doorselaer de ten Ryen, Waasmunster Roosenberg Abbey
Maria Theresia Isabella of Austria, a noble abbess with her crosier
Gesupietrochiave
Abbot
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Abbot is an ecclesiastical title given to the head of an independent monastery for men in various Western Christian traditions. The name is derived from abba, the Aramaic form of the Hebrew ab, and me
Abbess
…Orthodox, Coptic, Lutheran and Anglican abbeys, the mode of election, position, rights, and authority of an abbess correspond generally with those of an abbot. She must be at least 40 years old and have been a nun for 10 years. The age requirement in the Catholic Church has evolved over time, ranging from 30…
St. Dominic of Silos enthroned as abbot (Hispano-Flemish Gothic 15th century)
Coptic icon of Saint Pachomius, the founder of cenobitic monasticism
Carving of Saint Benedict of Nursia, holding an abbot's crozier and his Rule for Monasteries (Münsterschwarzach, Germany)
Thomas Schoen, abbot of Bornem Abbey