Episcoparian

Part of speech: noun, adjective

Definitions

1. A member of a denomination governed by bishops is often characterized by a liturgical tradition and belief in the authority of scripture
2. This term refers to individuals affiliated with a church hierarchy that emphasizes episcopal leadership and the sacraments
3. Those who identify with a religious community led by bishops, placing a strong focus on traditions and church governance, are commonly described by this term

Etymology: The root of this word is a Greek job title. "Episkopos" meant "overseer" or "inspector," built from "epi-" ("over") and "skopos" ("watcher," from the same family as "scope"). Early Christian writers adopted it for the church official who watched over a community, and it passed into Latin as "episcopus," which gave English "bishop" through Old English "biscop." "Episcopal" comes from the Late Latin adjective "episcopalis," so the bishop's watchful role sits inside the whole family of words. This term adds the suffix "-arian" to "episcopal," the same ending found in "unitarian" and "antiquarian," where it marks a person who holds or follows a particular position. It is a variant of the more common "episcopalian," meaning a supporter of church government by bishops, and it describes the same people and beliefs.

Synonyms: bishopric, hierarchical