Episcopal: meaning, definitions and examples
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episcopal
[ ɪˈpɪs.kə.pəl ]
religious governance
The term 'episcopal' pertains to a hierarchical system of church governance headed by bishops. It highlights an ecclesiastical structure where bishops have oversight over a group of churches or congregations. In many Christian denominations, the episcopal polity is characterized by the authority and roles of bishops in administering sacraments and guiding the spiritual life of the church. This governance model is notably found in traditions such as Anglicanism, Catholicism, and Orthodoxy.
Synonyms
bishopric, clerical, hierarchical.
Examples of usage
- The Episcopal Church embraces an episcopal form of governance.
- He was ordained in an episcopal ceremony last year.
- Their beliefs are rooted in an episcopal tradition.
- The conference included representatives from various episcopal bodies.
Translations
Translations of the word "episcopal" in other languages:
🇵🇹 episcopal
🇮🇳 बिशप का
🇩🇪 episkopal
🇮🇩 episkopal
🇺🇦 єпископський
🇵🇱 episkopalny
🇯🇵 司教の
🇫🇷 épiscopal
🇪🇸 episcopal
🇹🇷 piskoposluk
🇰🇷 주교의
🇸🇦 أسقفي
🇨🇿 episkopální
🇸🇰 episkopálny
🇨🇳 主教的
🇸🇮 škofovski
🇮🇸 biskupslegur
🇰🇿 епископтық
🇬🇪 ეპისკოპალური
🇦🇿 episkopal
🇲🇽 episcopal
Etymology
The word 'episcopal' comes from the Latin 'episcopus', which itself is derived from the Greek word 'episkopos', meaning 'overseer'. The early Christian church adopted this structure during the first few centuries AD. The role of bishops as overseers emerged in response to the need for a formal leadership structure within the growing Christian communities. This model distinguished between various levels of clergy, establishing a system in which bishops would supervise multiple congregations. As Christianity spread and evolved, the episcopal system became more solidified, particularly in Western Christianity. The term 'episcopal' has since been used to describe specific church governance and is often associated with certain denominations, particularly those where bishops have a significant role in ecclesiastical authority.