Eminence

Question

Tehran insists its programme is aimed purely at generating electricity.

Next move
Following the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) report, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said there was a "very strong case" for a third round of sanctions over the disputed nuclear programme.
Ms Rice said that the report showed that Iran's efforts to halt its uranium enrichment programme were inadequate and that Washington would push for further UN action.
UN Security Council members the US, UK, China, France and Russia meet on Monday in Washington to consider their next step.
But Mr Ahmadinejad said the latest report by the UN nuclear watchdog represented an historic victory for Iran.
"I congratulate your eminence and the Iranian people on the historic victory of Iran in its greatest confrontation with the oppressive powers since the Islamic revolution" of 1979, Mr Ahmadinejad said in a message to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, quoted by state TV.
Questions avoided
The IAEA report released on Friday did praise Iran for granting its inspectors access to previously off-limits sites.
However, it said Iran remained evasive on key issues and had evaded a proper response to claims it had made secret efforts to "weaponise" nuclear material.
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What is the meaning of ' I congratiulate your eminence' here?
For me eminence means famous or some other word to this effect.
If you are a Nobel laureate, you are an eminent person.
Eminent is an adjective whereas eminence is a noun.

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

.
Your Eminence is a title of direct reference (in English translation, of course) for the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and should be capitalized. It is like using Your Majesty for a king or queen.
.
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Rotter · Answer

Is it commonplace?
I know the existence of 'Your Excellency' and ' Your Majesty'.
However,I have never heard about 'Your Eminence'.

Marius Hancu · Answer

Yes, it is common when addressing people which are highly ranked in church, such as cardinals, in English.

This is English translation, so ...

Rotter · Answer

Marius
If I meet a prince, I would address You Royal Highenss.
If I meet a prime minster or a head of a state, I would address Your Excellency.
How do I address a Cardinal or Prelate?

Clive · Answer

Hi,

Methods of addressing prime ministers and particularly heads of state vary from country to country.

If you expect to meet a cardinal soon, or the Pope, have a look at http://www.wikihow.com/Address-Catholic-Clergy

Best wishes, Clive

Rotter · Answer

Clive
If I meet Pope in Rome, I would address him Your Holiness.
I don't think it is fitting to say Your Holiness to a Cardinal.
If you meet a Cardinal, how do you address him.

Clive · Answer

Hi,

This excerpt is from the link that I gave you.

Address Cardinals verbally as "Cardinal Last Name" or "Your Eminence" without name. If you address the Cardinal as "Cardinal Last Name", do so only once. After that, address him as "Your Eminence". Address letters to "His Eminence, First Name Cardinal Last Name." If the Cardinal is a Bishop, add "D.D." and any other doctoral degrees he may have, after his last name.
Address the Pope verbally as "Holy Father" or "Your Holiness". Never say the Pope's name in a conversation with him. Address letters to "His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI."

Rotter · Answer

Thanks Clive
So if you meet a cardinal whose name is not known to you, you would address him Your Eminence.
When I meet a Buddhist monk, I never address him by name.
Reverand Sir is the title for a Buddhist monk. This is in Theravada Buddhism. I can't answer for Mahayana and other sects.
Though I know the name of the monk, I always say 'Reverand Sir'.
This may sound odd to your ears. But this is the way we respect Buddhist monks.
Even if I meet a Japanese Buddhist monk, I will address 'Reverand Sir' . Japanese do not belong to Theravada sect.
So next time I meet a Christian priest I will address him Your Eminence.
Is it fine?

Clive · Answer

Hi,

It depends on his rank. For an ordinary Catholic priest, do it thus, again from the same link.

Address Priests verbally as "Father Last Name", or "Father First Name", as they would prefer. Some persons who are not Catholic prefer to address Catholic priests as "Reverend". In some parts of Europe,for example, in Italy, it is common even for Catholics to address a priest as "Reverend" especially in the absence of any other title. "Reverend", while not originally a title, has become a title with usage and has been common in the U.S.A. for at least 40 years. It is only necessary to say the last name once, if at all, depending on the circumstances. After that, simply call him "Father". In writing a letter, address the letter to "The Reverend Full Name" and append any doctoral degree (like Ph.D. or D.D.) if the priest has such a degree. Do not address letters to priests as "Reverend Father". In the address field write "The Reverend Full Name, Doctoral Degrees only," if any. Begin your letter with "Dear Reverend Last Name" or "Reverend Last Name" for a greater degree of formality; or "Dear Father Last Name" or "Dear Father First Name" if the letter is informal.

For Christian priests who are not Catholic, other conventions often apply, but it will be OK to start with 'Reverend'. If they prefer something else, they will tell you politely.

Clive

Rotter · Answer

Clive
Here I meet priest beong to the Protestant Church.
Scandinavians are predominantly Protestants.
So you think it is fine to say 'Father'.
I don't know their names. I never ask about the names.
There is a word in the local vernacular. It literaly translates to English as priest.

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