Definition

Proper noun: * The Episcopal Church of Scotland: An autonomous branch of the Anglican Communion in Scotland. It is a Christian church that maintains the historic episcopate (a church structure governed by bishops) and is in full communion with the Church of England and other Anglican churches worldwide, while being independent in its governance.

Usage

• The term is used as the official name of this specific religious institution.
• It is typically capitalized, as it is a proper noun referring to a specific organization.

Examples

• Proper noun:
  • The Episcopal Church of Scotland traces its history back to the early Christian missionaries in Scotland.
  • She was ordained as a priest in the Episcopal Church of Scotland.
  • The doctrines of the Episcopal Church of Scotland are based on the Bible, the Book of Common Prayer, and the Thirty-Nine Articles.

Advanced Usage

• The church is sometimes informally referred to as the Scottish Episcopal Church, which is synonymous and often used interchangeably in common parlance.
• It is distinct from the (Presbyterian) Church of Scotland, which is the national church.

Variants and Related Words

• Scottish Episcopal Church (n): A common alternative name for the same institution.
• Episcopal (adj): Pertaining to a bishop or bishops. When capitalized, it often refers specifically to churches in the Anglican tradition, such as the Episcopal Church in the United States.
• Anglican Communion (n): The worldwide body of churches in full communion with the See of Canterbury, of which the Episcopal Church of Scotland is a member.

Synonyms

• Scottish Episcopal Church

Notes on Meaning

This term refers specifically to the institution and its members. It is not used to describe a building; a building used for worship by this church is typically called an Episcopal church (lowercase) or a chapel.

Noun

1. an autonomous branch of the Anglican Communion in Scotland