Hegumen

The head of a convent of nuns is called a hegumenia or igumeni (Greek: ἡγουμένη).

A ruling hegumen is formally installed in a ceremony by the bishop, during which he is presented with his pastoral staff (Greek: paterissa, Slavonic: палица, palitza).

During divine services, the hegumen wears a simple black monastic mantle, while the higher ranking archimandrite wears a mantle similar to one worn by a bishop (though without the white "rivers" along the sides, and decorated with unadorned "tablets" at the neck and feet).

When outside the church, a hegumen may use a wooden walking stick similar to that used by a bishop or archimandrite, only not adorned with a silver knob.

On the other hand, the rank of archimandrite fell into disuse in the Church of Alexandria from the late 16th century.