Great Paap

Great Paap (Dutch: Grote Paap) is the hereditary title held by the head of the Paap family. Melchior Paap became the first holder after the family settled in the Dutch Republic during the late 18th century. The title originally carried responsibility for the Book of Paap. It later developed into the principal leadership position within the family.

Martin Paap has held the title since November 2007. His son, Martin Paap III, is the designated successor and is scheduled to become Great Paap on 1 November 2027.

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.

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. His eldest son, Antonius Martin Paap, became the second holder on 27 August 1877. Martinus Antonius Johannes Paap succeeded Antonius on 2 November 1940.

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.

Duties

The first Great Paaps protected the original Book of Paap and taught its contents to the designated heir. The book described a future confrontation between a Paap of light and a Paap of darkness. It also stated that the Paap of light would bear the name Hugerinus and have a four-letter first name.

The religious duties continued after literal belief in the prophecy declined. Later holders retained custody of the book while assuming broader responsibility for the direction of the Paap family. The modern Great Paap establishes long-term family plans and oversees the preservation of inherited traditions.

Succession

Succession is hereditary within Melchior Paap's direct line. Primogeniture establishes the first claim among descendants who have completed custodial instruction and accepted responsibility for the Book of Paap. The reigning Great Paap gives this instruction to the intended heir. A descendant who does not complete it or refuses custody may be passed over.

Martinus's eldest son, Martin Paap I, lived in Rotterdam and had not completed the instruction when Martinus became Great Paap in 1940. His younger son, Jan Paap, had grown up in Martinus's household in Warendorf and received direct instruction in the book. Martinus therefore designated Jan as his intended successor.

Jan did not believe the prophecy and rejected the religious responsibility attached to the title. On 6 January 1943, he told Antonie Ronald Paap that he would not accept the succession during a confrontation at Rzhev airfield. Jan severed ties with Martinus and later left Europe in 1944. Martinus remained Great Paap while Martin I received the preparation required to replace Jan.

Martinus's term ended after his conviction for war crimes on 28 October 1948. Martin I succeeded him on the same day and remained Great Paap until November 2007. Martin Paap then inherited the title from his father. He was separately elected leader of the Paap family that November.

Holders

Holders of the Great Paap title

Holder	Term	Notes
Melchior Paap	Date unknown – 27 August 1877	First Great Paap and first hereditary guardian of the Book of Paap
Antonius Martin Paap	27 August 1877 – 2 November 1940	Second Great Paap
Martinus Antonius Johannes Paap	2 November 1940 – 28 October 1948	Designated Jan Paap as his intended successor
Martin Paap I	28 October 1948 – November 2007	Succeeded Martinus after Jan rejected the succession
Martin Paap	2007–present	Succeeded Martin Paap I through hereditary succession in November 2007

Martin Paap III is scheduled to succeed Martin Paap on 1 November 2027.

See also

• Book of Paap
• Paap family
• Paap family members
• Hugerinus lineage
• Martinos Nikolopoulos
• Melchior Paap
• Jan Paap