Titles for Religious Leaders Trivia Quiz

Answer: Roman Catholic Church

The pope is the leader of the Catholic Church. In 2013, Francis became pope, succeeding Benedict XVI. The word "pope" is derived from the Greek word páppas, which means father. Although initially applied as a term to all bishops, it came to be reserved exclusively for the Bishop of Rome.

Answer: Judaism

The term "rabbi" is used to address a Jewish scholar or teacher of the law or a Jewish religious leader. The word comes to us from late Old English, through the ecclesiastical Latin and Greek from the Hebrew raḇ, meaning "master."

Answer: Sikhism

There is no official hierarchy or clergy in Sikhism in the Western sense, but there are specialized roles. The term Gianni is used in the Sikh religion to refer to one who has obtained knowledge through study and special training in Sikh studies and is qualified to teach others. Areas of training may include script, Sikh scripture, the Indian classical musical system, Sikh history, or political science.

A Gianni often has the necessary requirements to fulfill other roles of the Sikh "clergy."

Answer: Episcopalian

In spoken greeting, Episcopalians will typically address their priests as Father (for a man) or Mother (for a woman), followed by the first name or last name of the priest, depending on preference and level of formality. In written address, the term "The Reverend _____" is typically used for a priest. The term "The Venerable _____" is used for an archdeacon. "The Most Reverend ____" is used for a presiding bishop.

Catholics also call their priests Father, but as they do not ordain female priests, they would not use the term Mother for a priest. They would, however, use the term Mother for a woman who leads a group of nuns.

Answer: Tibetan Buddhism

Teachers of Dharma in Tibetan Buddhism are called "lama". It is similar to "guru" in other traditions. Although historically used to refer to either venerated spiritual masters or the heads of monasteries, the title is now applied to monks, nuns, or advanced practitioners and indicates an authority to teach. "The Dalai Lama" is the title given to the primary spiritual leader of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism.

The current, 14th Dalai Lama is Tenzin Gyatso.

Answer: Eastern Orthodox Church

A patriarch is the highest-ranking bishop in Eastern Orthodoxy, which, like the Catholic church, claims to be the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. In the Middle Ages, it was ruled by five patriarchs: Rome, Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem, and these were collectively called the Pentarchy.

The Patriarch (or Archbishop) of Constantinople has the official rank of primus inter pares (or "first among equals"). In 2019, that was Bartholomew I.

Answer: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

In 2018, Russell M. Nelson became the President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
Latter-day Saints, also known as Mormons, regard the church's president as the highest authority on earth and God's spokesman to the world. He has the exclusive right to receive revelations from God on behalf of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Answer: Hinduism

A swami is a Hindu yogi or ascetic who has been initiated into a religious monastic order. The word comes from a Sanskrit root meaning "one with himself." The term can be used as an honorific when addressing a Hindu priest (a pujari or purohit). When used as a direct form of address or in place of the swami's name, Swamiji is typical.

Answer: Shi'a Islam

In Shi'a Islam, Ayatollah is a high ranking title given to clerics. The word is derived from the Arabic for "Sign of God." The title is applied to experts in Islamic studies, including the Quran, jurisprudence, and philosophy. Ayatollahs frequently teach in Islamic seminaries.

Answer: The Church of Scientology

The leader of the Church of Scientology is referred to as the Chairman of the Board of the Religious Technology Center. As of 2019, that was David Miscavige. Scientology was founded in 1952 by the science-fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard. Reliable estimates of membership are hard to find, but worldwide estimates typically range between 100,000 and 200,000.