Crossword Genius

Holy believer initially thwarts robbery (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

theist

'holy believer' is the definition.
(someone who believes in a god)

'initially thwarts robbery' is the wordplay.
'initially' suggests taking the first letters.
'robbery' becomes 'heist' (heist is a kind of robbery).
The initial letter of 'thwarts' is 't'.
't'+'heist'='THEIST'

(Other definitions for theist that I've seen before include "Person in good faith" , "Believer in a creator god" , "One believes in the existence of a god or gods" , "Believer in god/gods" , "Believer in a god or gods" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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