In course of time there emerged from this presbyterial body a Primus inter pares, i.e.
He takes precedence, Primus inter pares, of all the members, and is recognized as the official head of the Church during his term of office.
The moderator has no special power or supremacy over his brethren, but is honoured and obeyed as Primus inter pares.
The president or moderator of each church court was Primus inter pares.
In the old times the grand-prince was simply primes inter pares among the minor princes, and these lived with their boyars almost on a footing of equality.