#abbess

• Abbess — The superior of a Roman Catholic monastery of nuns (abbess). In the history of medicine and hospital care, abbesses played a vital role during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, managing monastic infirmaries, organizing care for the poor and sick, and overseeing the preparation of herbal remedies and ointments in monastic pharmacies.
• Female archimandrite — An exceptional honorary rank or superior monastic dignity granted to a nun who serves as the abbess of a large monastery or who has outstanding merits in the administrative and spiritual activity of the Orthodox Church. Although historically and canonically the title is predominantly masculine, in modern practice the term is used to recognize the full administrative authority of a female monastic community leader.