Episcopal See
Encyclopedia
An episcopal see is, in the original sense, the official seat of a bishop
. This seat, which is also referred to as the bishop's cathedra
, is placed in the bishop's principal church, which is therefore called the bishop's cathedral
. The seat is also called the bishop's throne, especially in the Eastern Orthodox Church.
The term is also used of the town or place where the cathedral is located, giving rise to expressions such as "the Episcopal See of Gibraltar".
The bishop's seat is the earliest symbol of bishop's authority, and the word "see" is thus often applied to the area over which the bishop exercises authority. This usually corresponds to a diocese
, as in the expression "within the see of Ebbsfleet" and "built within the see of the bishop of Worcester". But it is sometimes given a wider significance, referring for instance to an area under patriarch
al authority.
In common English usage, the term Holy See
most often refers to the episcopal see of the Bishop of Rome.
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
. This seat, which is also referred to as the bishop's cathedra
Cathedra
A cathedra or bishop's throne is the chair or throne of a bishop. It is a symbol of the bishop's teaching authority in the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church, and has in some sense remained such in the Anglican Communion and in Lutheran churches...
, is placed in the bishop's principal church, which is therefore called the bishop's cathedral
Cathedral
A cathedral is a Christian church that contains the seat of a bishop...
. The seat is also called the bishop's throne, especially in the Eastern Orthodox Church.
The term is also used of the town or place where the cathedral is located, giving rise to expressions such as "the Episcopal See of Gibraltar".
The bishop's seat is the earliest symbol of bishop's authority, and the word "see" is thus often applied to the area over which the bishop exercises authority. This usually corresponds to a diocese
Diocese
A diocese is the district or see under the supervision of a bishop. It is divided into parishes.An archdiocese is more significant than a diocese. An archdiocese is presided over by an archbishop whose see may have or had importance due to size or historical significance...
, as in the expression "within the see of Ebbsfleet" and "built within the see of the bishop of Worcester". But it is sometimes given a wider significance, referring for instance to an area under patriarch
Patriarch
Originally a patriarch was a man who exercised autocratic authority as a pater familias over an extended family. The system of such rule of families by senior males is called patriarchy. This is a Greek word, a compound of πατριά , "lineage, descent", esp...
al authority.
In common English usage, the term Holy See
Holy See
The Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome, in which its Bishop is commonly known as the Pope. It is the preeminent episcopal see of the Catholic Church, forming the central government of the Church. As such, diplomatically, and in other spheres the Holy See acts and...
most often refers to the episcopal see of the Bishop of Rome.
See also
- Apostolic seeApostolic SeeIn Christianity, an apostolic see is any episcopal see whose foundation is attributed to one or more of the apostles of Jesus.Out of the many such sees, five acquired special importance in Chalcedonian Christianity and became classified as the Pentarchy in Eastern Orthodox Christianity...
- ArchbishopArchbishopAn archbishop is a bishop of higher rank, but not of higher sacramental order above that of the three orders of deacon, priest , and bishop...
- Bishop (Catholic Church)Bishop (Catholic Church)In the Catholic Church, a bishop is an ordained minister who holds the fullness of the sacrament of Holy Orders and is responsible for teaching the Catholic faith and ruling the Church....
- Canon lawCanon lawCanon law is the body of laws & regulations made or adopted by ecclesiastical authority, for the government of the Christian organization and its members. It is the internal ecclesiastical law governing the Catholic Church , the Eastern and Oriental Orthodox churches, and the Anglican Communion of...
- CathedraCathedraA cathedra or bishop's throne is the chair or throne of a bishop. It is a symbol of the bishop's teaching authority in the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church, and has in some sense remained such in the Anglican Communion and in Lutheran churches...
- Catholic Church hierarchyCatholic Church hierarchyThe term Hierarchy in the Catholic Church has a variety of related usages. Literally, "holy government", the term is employed in different instances. There is a Hierarchy of Truths, which refers to the levels of solemnity of the official teaching of the faith...
- DioceseDioceseA diocese is the district or see under the supervision of a bishop. It is divided into parishes.An archdiocese is more significant than a diocese. An archdiocese is presided over by an archbishop whose see may have or had importance due to size or historical significance...
- Early centers of ChristianityEarly centers of ChristianityEarly Christianity spread from Western Asia, throughout the Roman Empire, and beyond into East Africa and South Asia, reaching as far as India. At first, this development was closely connected to centers of Hebrew faith, in the Holy Land and the Jewish diaspora...
- Ecclesiastical provinceEcclesiastical ProvinceAn ecclesiastical province is a large jurisdiction of religious government, so named by analogy with a secular province, existing in certain hierarchical Christian churches, especially in the Catholic Church and Orthodox Churches and in the Anglican Communion...
- Holy SeeHoly SeeThe Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome, in which its Bishop is commonly known as the Pope. It is the preeminent episcopal see of the Catholic Church, forming the central government of the Church. As such, diplomatically, and in other spheres the Holy See acts and...
- Sede vacanteSede vacanteSede vacante is an expression, used in the Canon Law of the Catholic Church, that refers to the vacancy of the episcopal see of a particular church...
- See of St. Mark
- Rock CityRock CityRock City is a roadside attraction near Chattanooga, Tennessee, on Lookout Mountain in Lookout Mountain, Georgia, located near Ruby Falls. It is well-known for the many barn advertisements throughout the Southeast and Midwest United States that have the slogan "See Rock City" painted on barn roofs...