An episcopal polity, also known as episcopalianism, is a hierarchical form of church governance in which the chief local authorities are called bishops. The word "bishop" here is derived via the Vulga
The chair (cathedra) of the Bishop of Rome (Pope) of the Catholic Church in the Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran in Rome, Italy, represents his episcopal authority.
Pope Pius IX convened the First Vatican Council that approved the dogma of the pope as the visible head of the church, prime bishop over a hierarchy of clergy and believers.
Paul Kwong, Anglican Archbishop and Primate of Hong Kong
Saint Peter's Basilica facade, Rome, Italy
The Eastern Orthodox Church, officially the Orthodox Catholic Church, also known as the Greek Orthodox Church is the second-largest Christian body in the world after the Roman Catholic Church, and one
Episcopal polity
…Ancient Greek ἐπίσκοπος (epískopos) 'overseer'. It is the structure used by many of the major Christian churches and denominations, such as the Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Church of the East, Anabaptist, Lutheran, and Anglican churches or denominations, and other churches founded independently from…
Saint George's Cathedral in Istanbul, Turkey
Christ Pantocrator, sixth century, Saint Catherine's Monastery, Sinai; the oldest known icon of Christ, in one of the oldest monasteries in the world
Emperor Constantine presents a representation of the city of Constantinople as tribute to an enthroned Mary and baby Jesus in this church mosaic (Hagia Sophia, c. 1000).
An early Christian "Ichthys" (fish) inscription from ancient Ephesus