www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology What exactly does "Mar" mean?

I've always thought it meant something like "Father" or at least a term of respect. A protestant friend has asked me and I would like to give a more definitive answer.

CDL

CDL,

I always thought that 'Abouna' was what Melkites used for Father (title for a priest).

I think that Mar means Saint or Holy. I've seen it used to talk about the name of a church like 'Mar Elias'.

But this Slav wouldn't bet his life on the above info, I'll wait and see if our Melkite Brethern can verify the info.

Monomakh

"Mar" means "Lord," thus equivalent to the Greek, "kyrios."
See 1 Corinthians 16:22: Marana tha, "Lord, come."

Just an interesting aside: I've seen the word used in Jewish sources in the same context.

"Mar" means "Lord"

Is Mar the same as Mor?

And for that matter both mean Vladyka?

Thanks

Mar does indeed mean "lord", but as an honorific, not really as a form of address. "Mar Elias" simply means Saint Elias, and so forth. It slides around the linguistic map.

Fr. Serge