Definition

1. Noun:
   • A building or part of a church reserved for the officiating clergy: Specifically, the space in a church around the altar, often including the sanctuary and choir, used by the clergy and other ministers during services.
   • The residence of a priest or clergyman: In some Christian denominations, especially Roman Catholic and Presbyterian, it refers to the house provided for a priest or minister.
   • A body of elders in a Presbyterian church: In Presbyterian church governance, it refers to a court or assembly composed of the ministers and representative elders from congregations within a specific district.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The priest prepared for the mass in the quiet of the presbytery.
  • The beautiful stained-glass windows in the presbytery depicted scenes from the Bible.
  • After the service, the parishioners gathered outside the presbytery to greet their new minister.
  • The local presbytery met to discuss the appointment of a pastor for the vacant church.

Advanced Usage

• Ecclesiastical Architecture: In architectural terms, the "presbytery" is often the eastern part of a church, beyond the choir, where the high altar is placed.
  • The Gothic cathedral's presbytery was elevated by several steps from the nave.
• Presbyterian Governance: The term can refer to the jurisdiction or the geographical area governed by such a court of elders.
  • She was ordained by the Presbytery of Philadelphia.

Variants and Related Words

• Presbyter (n): An elder in the early Christian church or in a Presbyterian church.
• Presbyterial (adj): Of or relating to a presbytery or presbyter.
• Presbyterate (n): The office of a presbyter; a body of presbyters.

Synonyms

• Sanctuary: The area around the altar in a church.
• Chancel: The part of a church near the altar, reserved for the clergy and choir.
• Rectory: A residence provided for a rector or parish priest (similar in function for some denominations).
• Manse: A house provided for a minister, especially in Presbyterian and some other Protestant churches.

Related Phrases

• To be presented to the presbytery: A formal process where a candidate for ministry is examined and approved by the governing body of elders.
  • The seminary graduate will be presented to the presbytery next month for ordination.

Noun

1. building reserved for the officiating clergy