A high-ranking clerical title for either gender in the Bajoran religion, one who leads a sect or "order" as one step below the kai, or leader of the entire faith. Each vedek typically has a monasterial retreat and chooses a wardrobe and headdress of identifying design, unique from other vedeks. All of this position take part in a formal body known as the Vedek Assembly to help set policy and guide the kai, and, when a vacany exists, to elect the new kai--usually from among the vedek membership.