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There are several types of dioceses in the [[Orthodox Church]]:
* '''Eparchy''': a general term for an [[Ecclesiastical Province|ecclesiastical province]], though often used technically to refer to the territory over which the [[primate]], often referred to as an ''eparch'', has immediate jurisdictional authority (e.g., Moscow and its immediate environs are the eparchy of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia).* '''Exarchate''': often a missionary diocese, though traditionally referring to a diocese in which there is only one bishop (or other cleric) with authority, who is often referred to as an ''exarch''.
* '''Metropolis''' (or '''metropolia''' or '''metropolitanate'''): an ancient diocese (especially in Byzantine areas) or set of dioceses with a [[metropolitan]] as the ruling bishop or primate. A metropolis may have constituent dioceses.
* '''Archdiocese''': a large or important diocese or set of dioceses whose primate or ruling bishop is an [[archbishop]]. An archdiocese may have constituent dioceses.
These terms have shifted a bit over time and in different regions, and so usage is not consistent in historical or contemporary sources, whether primary or secondary. Most of these terms also have their origins in Roman civil administrative usage.
[[Category:Ecclesiology]]
[[mk:Ерархија]][[Categoryro:EcclesiologyEparhie]]
