episcopacy
Noun: 1. The collective body of bishops: The term refers to the bishops of a church or region considered as a group, often in the context of their shared governance or authority. 2. The system of church government by bishops: It can also denote the hierarchical system or principle of church governance in which bishops hold the primary authority.
The word is used as a singular noun, typically in formal, historical, or ecclesiastical contexts to discuss church structure and leadership. * The episcopacy convened to discuss the doctrinal issue. * The Anglican Communion maintains the historic episcopacy. * A debate arose over the role of the episcopacy in the early church.
- The unity of the episcopacy was crucial for the council's decision.
- His thesis analyzed the development of the episcopacy in the 4th century.
- Authority in that denomination is vested in the episcopacy.
- The historic episcopacy: A phrase used in ecumenical dialogue, particularly by Anglican and Catholic churches, to refer to the unbroken succession of bishops from the apostles.
- The document emphasized the importance of the historic episcopacy for church unity.
- Episcopal (adjective): Of or relating to a bishop or bishops.
- The episcopal see is the official seat of a bishop.
- Episcopate (noun): The office, term, or jurisdiction of a bishop; can also be synonymous with "episcopacy" meaning the body of bishops.
- He served a long episcopate in the diocese.
- The bishops: A more common, less formal term for the collective group.
- The hierarchy: In a church context, this can imply the ranking of bishops and other clergy.
- The prelacy: A formal term for church dignitaries, especially bishops.
The core meaning is consistently related to bishops as a collective entity or system. It does not have common idiomatic or secular meanings outside of ecclesiastical governance.
- the collective body of bishops