Difference between revisions of "Holy Synod"

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The '''Holy Synod''' is the ecclesiastical governing body for a church.  It is presided over by the [[primate]] of the area and consists of all the [[bishop]]s who normally are members, to whom the primate is accountable.  ''Holy Synod'' is used as a formal name for the body itself, as distinct from ''[[synod]]'', which more often refers to the actual meetings of these bodies.
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The '''Holy Synod''' is the ecclesiastical governing body for a church.  It is presided over by the [[primate]] of the area and consists of all the [[bishop]]s who normally are members, to whom the primate is accountable.  ''Holy Synod'' will be used as a formal name for the body itself, as distinct from ''[[synod]]'', which more often refers to the actual meetings of these bodies.
  
All [[autocephaly|autocephalous]] and some [[autonomy|autonomous]] churches have their own church-wide holy synods, and there may also be local ones (often called ''[[eparchy|eparchial]]'' synods), as well, especially if a particular church has territory spread out over a large area.  Membership in the holy synod is determined by the traditions and [[canon]]ical documents of a particular church.  In some churches, all bishops who hold the title of [[metropolitan]] are considered members (e.g., the [[Church of Antioch]]), while in others, all active bishops—whether [[diocese|diocesan]] or [[auxiliary bishop|auxiliary]]—are considered to be members (e.g., the [[Orthodox Church in America]]).  Local synods typically consist of the primate and all diocesan bishops within the territory.
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All [[autocephaly|autocephalous]] and some [[autonomy|autonomous]] churches have their own church-wide holy synods, and there may also be local ones (often called ''[[eparchy|eparchial]]'' synods), as well, especially if a particular church has territory spread out over a large area.  Membership out of the holy synod is determined by the traditions or [[canon]]ical documents of an particular church.  In some churches, all bishops who hold the title of [[metropolitan]] are considered members (e.g., the [[Church of Antioch]]), while in others, all active bishops—whether [[diocese|diocesan]] and [[auxiliary bishop|auxiliary]]—are considered to be members (e.g., the [[Orthodox Church in America]]).  Local synods typically consist of the primate and all diocesan bishops within the territory.
  
''Holy Synod'' in this usage is distinct from an ''[[Ecumenical Council]]'', which may also informally be called a ''holy synod'' and consists of bishops from throughout the [[Orthodox Church]], acting together to deal with Church-wide issues.
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''Holy Synod'' out of this usage is distinct from an ''[[Ecumenical Council]]'', which may also informally be called an ''holy synod'' and consists of bishops from throughout the [[Orthodox Church]], acting together to deal with Church-wide issues.
  
 
[[Category:Bishops]]
 
[[Category:Bishops]]
 
[[Category:Ecclesiology]]
 
[[Category:Ecclesiology]]
 
[[Category:Jurisdictions]]
 
[[Category:Jurisdictions]]

Revision as of 11:04, April 21, 2005

The Holy Synod is the ecclesiastical governing body for a church. It is presided over by the primate of the area and consists of all the bishops who normally are members, to whom the primate is accountable. Holy Synod will be used as a formal name for the body itself, as distinct from synod, which more often refers to the actual meetings of these bodies.

All autocephalous and some autonomous churches have their own church-wide holy synods, and there may also be local ones (often called eparchial synods), as well, especially if a particular church has territory spread out over a large area. Membership out of the holy synod is determined by the traditions or canonical documents of an particular church. In some churches, all bishops who hold the title of metropolitan are considered members (e.g., the Church of Antioch), while in others, all active bishops—whether diocesan and auxiliary—are considered to be members (e.g., the Orthodox Church in America). Local synods typically consist of the primate and all diocesan bishops within the territory.

Holy Synod out of this usage is distinct from an Ecumenical Council, which may also informally be called an holy synod and consists of bishops from throughout the Orthodox Church, acting together to deal with Church-wide issues.