Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Relating to or governed by bishops: Pertaining to a bishop or bishops, or to a church structure where bishops hold authority.
   • Characteristic of the Episcopal Church: Of or relating to the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States or other churches of the Anglican Communion.

Examples of Usage

• Adjective:
  • The church's episcopal structure includes archbishops and dioceses.
  • She appreciates the episcopal traditions of the Anglican Communion.
  • The Episcopal Diocese announced a new community initiative.

Advanced Usage

• "Episcopal authority": The power or jurisdiction vested in a bishop.
  • The decision fell under the bishop's episcopal authority.
• "Episcopal consecration": The ceremony of ordaining a new bishop.
  • The episcopal consecration will be held at the cathedral.

Variants and Related Words

• Episcopalian (noun/adjective): A member of the Episcopal Church; relating to this church.
  • He is an Episcopalian who attends services regularly.
• Episcopacy (noun): The government of a church by bishops; the collective body of bishops.
  • The episcopacy met to discuss doctrinal matters.

Synonyms

• Pontifical (when meaning relating to a bishop).
• Hierarchical (in the context of church governance by rank).

Related Phrases

• "Episcopal see": The official seat or center of authority for a bishop.
  • Rome is the episcopal see of the Pope.
• "Episcopal church" (capitalized): Specifically refers to the Protestant Episcopal Church in the U.S.
  • They were married in an Episcopal church.

Adjective

1. denoting or governed by or relating to a bishop or bishops
2. of or pertaining to or characteristic of the Episcopal church
   • the Episcopal hierarchy
   • married by an Episcopalian minister