Origin: Latin suffix -al
Episcopal has 5 different meanings across 1 category:
An adherent of an Anglican church, such as the Scottish Episcopal Church or the Episcopal Church in the United States; properly, an Episcopalian.
"The bishop welcomed the new episcopal who had traveled from Scotland to join their parish congregation."
In plain English: An episcopalian is someone who belongs to a Christian church led by bishops rather than just local pastors.
"The bishop sat in his episcopal seat during the ceremony."
of or pertaining to or characteristic of the Episcopal church
"the Episcopal hierarchy"
"married by an Episcopalian minister"
denoting or governed by or relating to a bishop or bishops
"The episcopal conference of African churches met last week to discuss new guidelines for clergy training."
Of or relating to the affairs of a bishop in various Christian churches.
"The visitors toured the historic episcopal cathedral in Edinburgh, where services follow the traditions of the Scottish Episcopal Church."
Of or relating to the affairs of an Anglican church, such as the Scottish Episcopal Church or the Episcopal Church in the United States.
In plain English: Episcopal means belonging to a church led by bishops who have authority over other priests and churches.
"The bishop visited his episcopal diocese to inspect the local schools and churches."
Usage: Use this term specifically when referring to governance, hierarchy, or doctrine within the Anglican Church and other traditions that follow episcopal polity. Avoid confusing it with "presbyterian," which denotes rule by elders rather than bishops.
The word "episcopal" comes from the Greek term epískopos, which originally meant a watchman or overseer. It entered English through Middle English and Late Latin to describe things related to an archbishop or bishop who serves in that supervisory role.