This glossary contains words commonly used in the study of ecclesiology and which can be misunderstood depending on the context. These definitions are either direct quotations from the cited resource or have been modified by the author of this site.
Definitions will be added or modified for clarity as needed. TheFreeDictionary.com was used as the primary reference for populating this glossary.
Apostolic Succession | (ăp′ə-stŏl′ĭk) (sək-sĕsh′ən)
The view that there is an unbroken line of succession beginning with the apostles and perpetuated through bishops, considered essential for orders and sacraments to be valid in the Roman Catholic, Anglican, and Eastern Orthodox Churches.
Random House Kernerman Webster’s College Dictionary. S.v. “apostolic succession.” Retrieved February 2, 2021 from https://www.thefreedictionary.com/apostolic+succession
Archbishop | (ärch-bĭsh′əp)
A bishop of the highest rank, heading an archdiocese or province.
[Middle English archebishop, from Old English arcebisceop, from Late Latin archiepiscopus, from Late Greek arkhiepiskopos : Greek arkhi-, archi– + Greek episkopos, bishop.]
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. S.v. “archbishop.” Retrieved February 2, 2021 from https://www.thefreedictionary.com/archbishop
Area Bishop | (âr′ē-ə) (bĭsh′əp)
Some Anglican suffragans are given the responsibility for a geographical area within the diocese (for example, the Bishop of Stepney is an area bishop within the Diocese of London).
Wikipedia.org. S.v. “bishop.” Retrieved February 2, 2021 from https://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/bishop
Auxiliary Bishop | (ôg-zĭl′yə-rē, -zĭl′ə-rē) (bĭsh′əp)
An auxiliary bishop is a full-time assistant to a diocesan bishop (the Orthodox and Catholic equivalent of an Anglican suffragan bishop). An auxiliary bishop is a titular bishop, and he is to be appointed as a vicar general or at least as an episcopal vicar of the diocese in which he serves.
Wikipedia.org. S.v. “bishop.” Retrieved February 2, 2021 from https://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/bishop
Bishop | (bĭsh′əp)
A high-ranking Christian cleric, in modern churches usually in charge of a diocese and in some churches regarded as having received the highest ordination in unbroken succession from the apostles.
[Middle English, from Old English bisceope, from Vulgar Latin *ebiscopus, from Late Latin episcopus, from Late Greek episkopos, from Greek, overseer : epi-, epi- + skopos, watcher]
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. S.v. “bishop.” Retrieved February 2, 2021 from https://www.thefreedictionary.com/bishop
Cardinal | (kär′dn-əl, kärd′nəl)
Roman Catholic Church: A high church official, ranking just below the pope, who has been appointed by a pope to membership in the College of Cardinals.
[Middle English, from Late Latin cardinālis, principal, pivotal, from Latin, serving as a hinge, from cardō, cardin-, hinge.]
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. S.v. “cardinal.” Retrieved February 2, 2021 from https://www.thefreedictionary.com/cardinal
Coadjutor Bishop | (kō′ə-jo͞o′tər, kō-ăj′ə-tər) (bĭsh′əp)
A coadjutor bishop (or bishop coadjutor) is a bishop in the Roman Catholic or Anglican churches who is designated to assist the diocesan bishop in the administration of the diocese, almost as co-bishop of the diocese. The coadjutor (literally, “co-assister” in Latin) is a bishop himself, and while also appointed as vicar general, is given authority beyond that ordinarily given to the vicar general, making him co-head of the diocese in all but ceremonial precedence. In modern times, the coadjutor automatically succeeds the current bishop of a diocese upon the latter’s retirement, removal or death.
Wikipedia.org. S.v. “Coadjutor bishop.” Retrieved February 2, 2021 from https://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/Coadjutor+bishop
Congregationalism | (kŏng′grĭ-gā′shə-nə-lĭz′əm)
A type of church government in which each local congregation is self-governing.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. S.v. “congregationalism.” Retrieved February 2, 2021 from https://www.thefreedictionary.com/congregationalism
Connexionalism | (kəˈnekshənəˌlizəm)
“The connexional principle continues to be intrinsic in Methodism as a structural expression at all levels of church life of essential interdependence, through fellowship, consultation, government and oversight.”
Howdle, Susan R. “Connexionalism.” A Dictionary of Methodism in Britain and Ireland. Retrieved February 2, 2021. https://dmbi.online/index.php?do=app.entry&id=684.
“The principle, basic to The United Methodist Church, that all leaders and congregations are connected in a network of loyalties and commitments that support, yet supersede, local concerns.”
“Connection.” The United Methodist Church. Retrieved February 2, 2021. https://www.umc.org/en/content/glossary-connection.
Deacon | (dē′kən)
1. (in hierarchical churches) a member of the clerical order next below that of a priest.
2. (in other churches) an appointed or elected officer having variously defined duties.
[before 900; Middle English deken, Old English diacon < Late Latin diāconus < Greek diakonos servant, minister, deacon]
Random House Kernerman Webster’s College Dictionary. S.v. “Deacon.” Retrieved February 2, 2021 from https://www.thefreedictionary.com/Deacon
Diaconate | (dī-ăk′ə-nĭt, -nāt′)
the office, sacramental status, or period of office of a deacon
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014. S.v. “diaconate.” Retrieved February 2, 2021 from https://www.thefreedictionary.com/diaconate
Diocesan Bishop | (dī-ŏs′ĭ-sən) (bĭsh′əp)
A diocesan bishop, within various religious denominations, is a bishop (or archbishop) in pastoral charge of a(n arch)diocese (his (arch)bishopric), as opposed to a titular bishop or archbishop, whose see is only nominal, not pastoral.
See also, Ordinary
Wikipedia.org. S.v. “Diocesan bishop.” Retrieved February 2, 2021 from https://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/Diocesan+bishop
Diocese | (dī′ə-sĭs, -sēs′, -sēz′)
The district or churches under the jurisdiction of a bishop; a bishopric.
[Middle English diocise, from Old French, from Late Latin diocēsis, from Latin dioecēsis, jurisdiction, from Greek dioikēsis, administration, from dioikein, to keep house, administer : dia-, intensive pref.; see dia- + oikein, to inhabit (from oikos, house)].
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. S.v. “Diocese.” Retrieved February 2, 2021 from https://www.thefreedictionary.com/diocese
Ecclesiology | (ĭ-klē′zē-ŏl′ə-jē)
The branch of theology that is concerned with the nature, constitution, and functions of a church.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. S.v. “ecclesiology.” Retrieved February 2, 2021 from https://www.thefreedictionary.com/ecclesiology
Ecclesia | (ĭ-klē′zhē-ə, -zē-ə)
1. The political assembly of citizens of an ancient Greek state.
2.
a. A church or congregation.
b. The collective body of Christian believers regarded as constituting a universal church.
[Latin ecclēsia, from Greek ekklēsiā, from ekkalein, to summon forth : ek-, out; see ecto- + kalein, klē-, to call]
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. S.v. “Ekklesia.” Retrieved February 2, 2021 from https://www.thefreedictionary.com/Ekklesia
Elder | (ĕl′dər)
One of the governing officers of a church, often having pastoral or teaching functions.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. S.v. “elder.” Retrieved February 2, 2021 from https://www.thefreedictionary.com/elder
Episcopacy | (ĭ-pĭs′kə-pə-sē)
Government of the church by bishops; that form of church government in which there are three distinct orders of ministers—bishops, priests or presbyters, and deacons.
The Century Dictionary, Vol. III. S.v. “episcopacy.” Retrieved February 2, 2021 from https://www.wordnik.com/words/episcopacy
Episcopalianism | (i-ˌpi-skə-ˈpāl-yə-ˌni-zəm)
The form of church polity in which the chief authority is exercised by bishops.
Cannon, John. “episcopalianism .” The Oxford Companion to British History. Encyclopedia.com. (January 13, 2021). Retrieved February 2, 2021 from https://www.encyclopedia.com/history/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/episcopalianism
Episcopate | (ĭ-pĭs′kə-pĭt, -pāt′)
1. the office, rank, or term of a bishop.
2. the order or body of bishops.
3. the diocese of a bishop.
Random House Kernerman Webster’s College Dictionary. S.v. “episcopate.” Retrieved February 2, 2021 from https://www.thefreedictionary.com/episcopate
Episcopi Vagantes
(singular: episcopus vagans, Latin for wandering bishops or stray bishops) are those persons consecrated, in a “clandestine or irregular way,” as Christian bishops outside the structures and canon law of the established churches; those regularly consecrated but later excommunicated, and not in communion with any generally recognized diocese; and those who have in communion with them small groups that appear to exist solely for the bishop’s sake.
Wikipedia.org. S.v. “Episcopi vagantes.” Retrieved February 2, 2021 from https://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/Episcopi+vagantes
“In Christianity, a bishop without authority or without recognition in any major Christian church. Such bishops may have been properly consecrated but were not assigned to a diocese or were deprived of their diocese for some reason or were excommunicated by their church; or they may have received an irregular consecration by another bishop.”
Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia. “Episcopus vagans.” Encyclopedia Britannica, December 19, 2011. Retrieved February 2, 2021 from https://www.britannica.com/topic/episcopus-vagans.
Historic Episcopate | (hĭ-stôr′ĭk, -stŏr′-) (ĭ-pĭs′kə-pĭt, -pāt′)
The historic episcopate comprises all the bishops who are in valid apostolic succession. This succession is transmitted from each bishop to their successors by the rite of Holy Orders.
Wikipedia.org. S.v. “Historical episcopate.” Retrieved February 2, 2021 from https://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/Historical+episcopate. See Note 1 in linked article.
Metropolitan | (mĕt′rə-pŏl′ĭ-tən)
“In Christian churches with episcopal polity, the rank of metropolitan bishop, or simply metropolitan, pertains to the diocesan bishop or archbishop of a metropolis (then more precisely called metropolitan archbishop); that is, the chief city of a historical Roman province, ecclesiastical province, or regional capital.”
Wikipedia.org. S.v. “Metropolitan bishop.” Retrieved February 2, 2021 from https://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/Metropolitan+bishop
Ordinary | (ôr′dn-ĕr′ē)
An Ordinary [or Bishop Ordinary] in ecclesiastical language, denotes any person possessing or exercising ordinary jurisdiction, i.e., jurisdiction connected permanently or at least in a stable way with an office.
[Middle English ordinarie, from Old French, from Latin ōrdinārius, from ōrdō, ōrdin-, order.]
The Catholic Encyclopedia. “Ordinary.” Retrieved February 2, 2021 from http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11284b.htm
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. S.v. “ordinary.” Retrieved February 2, 2021 from https://www.thefreedictionary.com/ordinary
Papal Primacy | (pā′pəl) (prī′mə-sē)
Papal primacy, also known as the primacy of the Bishop of Rome, is an ecclesiastical doctrine concerning the respect and authority that is due to the pope from other bishops and their sees.
Wikipedia.org. S.v. “Papal primacy.” Retrieved February 3, 2021 from https://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/Papal+primacy
Pastor | (păs′tər)
1. a minister or priest in charge of a church.
2. a person having spiritual care of a number of persons.
[1325–75; Middle English pastour (< Anglo-French) < Latin pāstor shepherd =pās-, base of pāscere to put to pasture, feed + –tor -tor]
Random House Kernerman Webster’s College Dictionary. S.v. “Pastor.” Retrieved February 3, 2021 from https://www.thefreedictionary.com/pastor
Patriarch | (pā′trē-ärk′)
3. Used formerly as a title for the bishops of Rome, Constantinople, Jerusalem, Antioch, and Alexandria.
4. Roman Catholic Church A bishop who holds the highest episcopal rank after the pope.
5. Eastern Orthodox Church Any one of the bishops of the sees of Constantinople, Antioch, Alexandria, Moscow, and Jerusalem who has authority over other bishops.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. S.v. “Patriarch.” Retrieved February 3, 2021 from https://www.thefreedictionary.com/patriarch
Presbyter | (prĕz′bĭ-tər, prĕs′-)
1. (in the early Christian church) an office bearer who exercised teaching, priestly, and administrative functions.
2. (in hierarchical churches) a priest.
3. an elder in a Presbyterian church.
[1590–1600; < Late Latin: older, elder, presbyter < Greek presbýteros=présby(s) old + –teros comp. suffix]
Random House Kernerman Webster’s College Dictionary. S.v. “presbyter.” Retrieved February 3, 2021 from https://www.thefreedictionary.com/presbyter
Presbyterate | (prĕz-bĭt′ər-ĭt, -ə-rāt′, prĕs-)
1. The office of a presbyter.
2. A body or an order of presbyters.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. S.v. “presbyterate.” Retrieved February 3, 2021 from https://www.thefreedictionary.com/presbyterate
Presbyterianism | (prĕz′bĭ-tîr′ē-ən-ĭzm, prĕs′-)
A system of church government in which ministers and congregationally elected elders participate in a graded series of legislative bodies and administrative courts.
-Ologies & -Isms. S.v. “presbyterianism.” Retrieved February 3, 2021 from https://www.thefreedictionary.com/Presbyterianism
Priest | (prēst)
1. In many Christian churches, a member of the second grade of clergy ranking below a bishop but above a deacon and having authority to administer the sacraments.
2. A person having the authority to perform and administer religious rites.
[Middle English prest, from Old English prēost, from Late Latin presbyter]
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. S.v. “priest.” Retrieved February 3, 2021 from https://www.thefreedictionary.com/priest
Polity | (pŏl′ĭ-tē)
A polity is any kind of political entity. It is a group of people who are collectively united by a self-reflected cohesive force such as identity, who have a capacity to mobilize resources, and are organized by some form of institutionalized hierarchy.
Wikipedia.org. S.v. “polity.” Retrieved February 3, 2021 from https://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/polity
Pope | (pōp)
1. Roman Catholic Church The bishop of Rome and head of the Roman Catholic Church.
2. Eastern Orthodox Church The patriarch of Alexandria.
3. The Coptic patriarch of Alexandria.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. S.v. “Pope.” Retrieved February 3, 2021 from https://www.thefreedictionary.com/pope
Suffragan Bishop | (sŭf′rə-gən, -jən)
A suffragan bishop is a bishop subordinate to a Metropolitan. In the Roman Catholic Church this term is applied to all non-metropolitan bishops (that is, diocesan bishops of dioceses within a metropolitan’s province, and auxiliary bishops). In the Anglican Communion, the term applies to a bishop who is a full-time assistant to a diocesan bishop.
Wikipedia.org. S.v. “bishop.” Retrieved February 3, 2021 from https://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/bishop
Titular Bishop | (tĭch′ə-lər)
A titular bishop is a bishop without a diocese. Rather, the bishop is head of a titular see, which is usually an ancient city that used to have a bishop, but, for some reason or other, does not have one now. Titular bishops often serve as auxiliary bishops. In the Ecumenical Patriarchate, bishops of modern dioceses are often given a titular see alongside their modern one.
Wikipedia.org. S.v. “bishop.” Retrieved February 3, 2021 from https://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/bishop
episcopi ecclesiarum protestantium 