EPARCHATE Meaning and
Definition
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An eparchy is a term used in ecclesiastical contexts to denote a specific administrative division or jurisdiction within a particular church, typically the Eastern Orthodox Church. It is derived from the Greek word "eparchia," which means "government" or "rule." An eparchate is headed by an eparch, who is responsible for the governance of the specific region under their jurisdiction.
The term eparchy is often used interchangeably with diocese. However, it is more commonly employed within the context of Eastern Christianity, particularly in Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Churches. Compared to a standard diocese, an eparchy in these traditions tends to cover a larger geographical area and may have a considerable number of parishes under its authority.
Within an eparchy, the eparch exercises several key functions such as ordaining priests, managing church-owned property, ensuring the preservation of traditions and doctrines, and resolving conflicts that arise within the eparchate. Additionally, the eparch may also be involved in the selection and appointment of bishops and other clergy members within their jurisdiction.
The establishment and organization of eparchies vary depending on the particular church and its hierarchy. Eparchates play a crucial role in fostering religious and spiritual development within a specific region, as they provide the structural framework for the administration and oversight of the faithful.
Common Misspellings for EPARCHATE
- wparchate
- sparchate
- dparchate
- rparchate
- 4parchate
- 3parchate
- eoarchate
- elarchate
- e0archate
- epzrchate
- epsrchate
- epwrchate
- epqrchate
- epaechate
- epadchate
- epafchate
- epatchate
- epa5chate
- epa4chate
- eparxhate
Etymology of EPARCHATE
The word "eparchate" comes from the Ancient Greek word "eparchia", which originally referred to the jurisdiction of an eparch (from "eparchos"), an official in ancient Greece. In Byzantine and later medieval Greek, an eparchia specifically referred to the administrative district of a metropolitan bishop. The term "eparchate" was adopted into English in the early 19th century to denote the office or jurisdiction of an eparch or an eparchy.
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