Standing before holy man, for example, one on retreat (8)
I believe the answer is:
prestige
'standing' is the definition.
(I know that prestige is a type of standing)
'before holy man for example one on retreat' is the wordplay.
'before' becomes 'pre' (prefix meaning 'before').
'holy man' becomes 'st' (abbreviation for saint).
'for example' becomes 'e.g.' (short for 'exempli gratia', 'for example' in Latin).
'one' becomes 'i' (Roman numeral).
'on retreat' shows that the letters should be reversed in order (to retreat is to go back).
'eg'+'i'='egi'
'egi' backwards is 'ige'.
'pre'+'st'+'ige'='PRESTIGE'
(Other definitions for prestige that I've seen before include "High esteem" , "Reputation based on achievements" , "Kudos" , "Status, reputation" , "Widespread respect attracted through achievements" .)