A monk belonging to the Eastern Orthodox tradition, particularly in monasteries of the Greek or Byzantine Church.
From Italian 'calogero' or Greek 'kalogeros' meaning 'handsome old man' or literally 'beautiful elder' (from 'kalos' = beautiful + 'geron' = old man). The term was used by European travelers encountering Orthodox monasticism.
The name 'caloyer' literally means 'beautiful elder,' reflecting how early European visitors were struck by the dignified appearance of Byzantine monks in their distinctive black robes and long beards.
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