High priest - Definition and Overview

The term High Priest may refer to particular individuals who hold the office of ruler-priest in local regional or ethnic contexts. In secular contexts it may refer to the head of a religious caste.

• In Ásatrú, the high priest is called a Gothi (or Gythia) and is the leader of a small group of practitioners collectively referred to as a Kindred. The Gothi are collectively known as the Gothar.
• In Christianity a high priest could sometimes be compared with the Pope in the Roman Catholic Church, a Patriarch in an Eastern Orthodox Church, or a Primate in an Anglican or Episcopal church.
• In Druidry, all members would be consider priests due to the historical role of the Druids as the priestly class of the Celts and Gauls. A "high priest" would likely be referred to as an Elder and would be a person who has practiced Druidry for a considerable amount of time.
• In Islam, a high priest may be called a caliph or a mullah.
• In Judaism, a high priest is called a Kohen Gadol.
• In Wicca, the high priest is a male who has earned the 3rd Degree level of recognition within his coven. A coven may also have a high priestess, either in addition to or instead of a high priest.

In other religions the meaning of this term may vary.