ARCHIPHERACITÆ, ministers in the Jewish synagogues appointed to read and interpret the Perakim, or titles and heads of the law and the prophets.

ARCHPRESBYTER, or ARCH-PRIEST, a priest established in some dioceses with a superiority over the rest. He was anciently chosen out of the college of presbyters at the pleasure of the bishop. These arch-presbyters were much of the same nature with deans in the cathedral churches, as the college of presbyters answers to the chapter. See PRESbyter.