What is "ktetor"

ktetor or ktitor , meaning "founder", was a title given in the Middle Ages to the provider of funds for construction or reconstruction of an Orthodox church or monastery, for the addition of icons, frescos, and other works of art. It was used in the Byzantine sphere. A Catholic equivalent of the term is a donator. As part of founding the ktetor often issued typika, and was illustrated on frescoes ("ktetor portrait"). The female form is ktetorissa or ktitoritsa .