generally require that such a monastic priest possess a university degree in theology before he is elevated to the rank of archimandrite. Sometimes the requirement is waived if the priest can show outstanding achievement in other academic fields, such as the humanities or science. Western usage An archimandrite who does not function as an abbot has the style "The Very Reverend Archimandrite" whilst one with abbatial duties uses the style "The Right Reverend Archimandrite". The word occurs in the Regula Columbani (c. 7), and du Cange gives a few other cases of its use in Latin documents, but it never came into vogue in the West; yet, owing to intercourse with Greek and Slavonic Christianity, the title sometimes appears in southern Italy and Sicily, and in Croatia, Hungary and Poland. From 1979 there is at least one exemplar in Britain. References Dictionnaire d'archéologie chrétienne et de liturgie (in French) Further reading External links Christian religious occupations Eastern Christian ecclesiastical offices Ecclesiastical titles Religious leadership roles