Ktetor

Ktetor (κτήτωρ) or ktitor (ქტიტორი kt’it’ori; ctitor), meaning 'founder', is a title given in the Middle Ages to the provider of funds for construction or reconstruction of an Eastern Orthodox church or monastery, for the addition of icons, frescos, and other works of art. It was used in the Byzantine sphere. A Catholic equivalent of the term is donator. At the time of founding, the ktetor often issued typika, and was illustrated on frescoes ("ktetor portrait"). The female form is ktetorissa (κτητόρισσα) or ktitoritsa.