Definition

1. Noun:
   • The territorial jurisdiction of a bishop: A bishopric is the district or area over which a bishop has religious and administrative authority. It is synonymous with a diocese.
   • The office or rank of a bishop: In a historical or formal context, "bishopric" can also refer to the position or status of being a bishop.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Territorial jurisdiction):
  • The new cathedral was built in the center of the ancient bishopric.
  • He was responsible for overseeing all the churches within his bishopric.
• Noun (Office or rank):
  • After years of service, he was finally elevated to the bishopric.
  • The appointment to the bishopric was confirmed by the church council.

Advanced Usage

• "To hold a bishopric": To occupy the office or have jurisdiction over a diocese.
  • He held the bishopric for over two decades before retiring.
• "The see of a bishopric": The official seat or center of a bishop's authority.
  • The city served as the see of the bishopric for centuries.

Variants and Related Words

• Diocese (n): The district under the pastoral care of a bishop in the Christian Church. This is the most common synonym for the territorial meaning of "bishopric."
• Episcopate (n): The office, term, or jurisdiction of a bishop. This relates more closely to the office/rank meaning.
• See (n): The place from which a bishop exercises his authority; often used interchangeably with diocese or bishopric in terms of territory.

Synonyms

• Diocese: A district under the pastoral care of a bishop.
• Eparchy: A diocese in an Eastern Christian church.
• Jurisdiction: The official power to make legal decisions and judgments (in a general sense, applicable to a bishop's area of control).

Related Phrases

• "Suffragan bishopric": A bishopric where the bishop is subordinate to a metropolitan bishop or archbishop.
  • The suffragan bishopric assisted the archdiocese with administrative duties.
• "To be consecrated to a bishopric": To be formally ordained or installed into the office of a bishop.
  • The priest was consecrated to the bishopric in a grand ceremony.

Notes on Meaning

The primary and most frequent modern use of "bishopric" refers to the geographical area and jurisdiction (a diocese). The meaning referring to the office or rank itself is less common and often found in historical or formal ecclesiastical texts. In contemporary English, "diocese" is more frequently used for the territory, and "episcopate" or simply "the office of bishop" for the position.

Noun

1. the territorial jurisdiction of a bishop