Pontiff
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Pontiff is a title of certain religious leaders. It comes from the Latin word pontifex, which literally means bridge-maker. It could therefore be construed to mean a bridge between God and humanity.
Pontiffs were men on the highest council of priests in ancient Rome, called the College of Pontiffs, and the Pontifex Maximus was the highest religious figure. Today this term still refers to the highest religious authority in Rome, the Pope. Sometimes the Pope is called the Supreme Pontiff and other bishops of the Roman Catholic Church are called Pontiffs.
[edit] Pontiff in Hindu religon
Pontiff or monk are called swamiji or swamigalu or maharaja in Hindu religon. Generally these pontiff follow celibacy ( Brahmacharya ) looking after matha or monastery handed over to them. They perform religous rituals daily as per tradition of the matha's they head. Also they do meditation, religous discourses and administration of the matha's. Many of the matha's do charity like providing education, food to poor, running of hospitals, relief in case of diasters. hese pontiff wear saffron clothes. Pontiff in Hindu religon are expected to guide common people to lead life in a right way.
