Irumão (English spelling)

Japanese: イルマン - いるまん（英語表記）irmão

It is also written as Iruma or Nyuman. It is a Christian term meaning "divine brother" or "brother." Among Jesuit monks, those who hold the priestly office are called padres, and those who assist padres are called irman. During the Christian era, it was common for people to be ordained to padres after serving as irmans. Members of confraria (groups, lectures), which were cooperative organizations for believers, were also called irmans. [Kishino Hisashi]

Source: Heibonsha World Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition Information

Japanese:

伊留満，入満とも書く。〈神弟〉〈兄弟〉を意味するキリシタン用語。イエズス会の修道者のうち，司祭職にある者をパードレpadreといい，パードレを補佐する者をイルマンといった。キリシタン時代，イルマンを経てパードレに叙階されるのがふつうであった。また，信者の協働組織であるコンフラリアconfraria(組，講)の構成員もイルマンといった。【岸野久】

出典　株式会社平凡社世界大百科事典第２版について　情報

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