Editing Great Paap (section)

== History ==

The title originated with the first Dutch-born Paap generation. [[Martinos Nikolopoulos]] had written the Greek-language ''Book of Paap'' after the Nikolopoulos household left the [[Peloponnese]] in 1770. The family gradually adopted Paap as its hereditary surname after settling in the Dutch Republic.<ref name="early-history"/>

Martinos remained the author and teacher of the book. He entrusted the original text to his eldest son, Melchior, who became its first formal guardian and the first Great Paap. Melchior passed the title through his direct line.<ref name="melchior"/> His eldest son, [[Antonius Martin Paap]], became the second holder on 27 August 1877. [[Martinus Antonius Johannes Paap]] succeeded Antonius on 2 November 1940.<ref name="antonius"/><ref name="martinus"/>

The religious function weakened as later generations devoted less attention to the book's prophecy. Family leadership became the principal function of the title. The Great Paap came to direct matters affecting the family as a whole and determine how its branches worked together.