What is "oeconomus"

n. 1 (context ecclesiastical English) A married priest (chiefly Orthodox Christian and Uniate usage), as opposed to a hieromonk. 2 (context ecclesiastical English)) A priest or other person who serves as the bursar or finance officer of a diocese or religious institution (chiefly Roman Catholic usage), an ''episcopal oeconomus'' temporarily takes charge of church property in the event of an episcopal vacancy. 3 A Byzantine title given to the chief steward or treasurer of a household or institution.

Oeconomus, œconomus or oikonomos ( Greek , from oiko- 'house' and -nomos 'rule, law') was an Ancient Greek word meaning 'manager' or 'housekeeper'. In Byzantine times the term was used as a title of a manager or treasurer of an organisation.

An example of oeconomus used to designate a "manager" is in Luke 12:42 "The Lord answered, 'Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time?'

It is a title in the Roman Catholic Church. In the 1983 Code of Canon Law, an oeconomus is the diocesan finance officer (c. 494).