A bishop is an ordained member of the Christian clergy. In those Christian churches that maintain an episcopal form of church government, a bishop holds a position of authority. Their roles can differ significantly in the various denominations. The office of bishop is one of the three ordained offices in the Roman Catholic, Anglican, Eastern Orthodox, and Oriental Orthodox churches. The other two offices are those of priest and deacon. Etymology Bishop comes from the Greek word episkopos (?????????, from ??? "over" and ?????? "seeing") which can be translated bishop, overseer, superintendent, supervisor, the first, leader or foreman. From the word episkopos are derived the English words episcopacy, episcopate and episcopal. The system of church government by bishops is called episcopacy.

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