protopope
noun
pro·to·pope
ˈprōtəˌpōp
: the first in rank of the priests of a cathedral in the Eastern Church who administers the diocese during the absence of the bishop or a vacancy in the see
Word History
Etymology
Russian protopop, from Middle Greek prōtopapas chief priest, from Greek prōt- prot- + Middle Greek papas priest, from Greek, title of bishops, literally, papa