Term
Monepiscopacy
Also known as Monarchial Episcopacy
A form of church government where a single bishop holds authority over a local church.
Filed underEcclesiologyChurch History
Definition
A system of ecclesiastical governance characterized by the leadership of a single bishop (monarchial bishop) over a city or region, distinct from a collegiate body of presbyters. The research text associates its development with the concepts of apostolic succession and the need for order in the early church.
Connections
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- Related to
- BishopTermMonepiscopacy is the singular rule of a bishop.
Sources
- 1.Everett Ferguson Church History: Volume One: From Christ to Pre-Reformation. 2nd ed.. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2013). pp. 105-121
Last revised August 18, 2026