What does eparchy mean?
An eparchy is a territorial division of a church, typically in the Eastern Orthodox or Oriental Orthodox traditions. It is a self-governing unit with its own bishop and administrative structure. The term is often used interchangeably with 'diocese', although some scholars make a distinction between the two. In the Eastern Orthodox tradition, an eparchy is a major center of learning and culture, and the bishop of the eparchy is a respected leader in the Orthodox community. The eparchy of Constantinople is one of the oldest and most influential in the Orthodox Church. The term 'eparchy' is derived from the Greek word 'eparchos', meaning 'ruler' or 'governor'. In the context of the Orthodox Church, an eparchy is a territorial division that is governed by its own bishop and administrative structure. The eparchy is responsible for the spiritual and temporal well-being of its members, and it is often a major center of learning and culture. The bishop of the eparchy is a respected leader in the Orthodox community, and he is responsible for guiding the spiritual and temporal affairs of the eparchy. The eparchy of Constantinople is a major center of Orthodox learning and culture, and it is one of the oldest and most influential in the Orthodox Church. The term 'eparchy' is an important concept in the Eastern Orthodox tradition, and it is used to describe a territorial division of a church that is governed by its own bishop and administrative structure.
nounAn eparchy is a territorial division of a church, typically in the Eastern Orthodox or Oriental Orthodox traditions. It is a self-governing unit with its own bishop and administrative structure.
- A territorial division of a church
"The eparchy of Constantinople is one of the oldest and most influential in the Orthodox Church."
"The eparchy of Constantinople is a major center of Orthodox learning and culture."
"The bishop of the eparchy of Jerusalem is a respected leader in the Orthodox community."
The plural form of eparchy is used to describe multiple territorial divisions of a church.
"The Orthodox Church has many eparchies around the world."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of eparchy
The term 'eparchy' is derived from the Greek word 'eparchos', meaning 'ruler' or 'governor'. In the context of the Orthodox Church, an eparchy is a territorial division that is governed by its own bishop and administrative structure. The term 'eparchy' has been used in the Eastern Orthodox tradition since the early Christian period, and it is still used today to describe a territorial division of a church that is governed by its own bishop and administrative structure.
Usage notes
In the Eastern Orthodox tradition, an eparchy is a self-governing unit with its own bishop and administrative structure. The term is often used interchangeably with 'diocese', although some scholars make a distinction between the two.