1. (n.) A body of elders in the early Christian church.

2. (n.) A judicatory consisting of all the ministers within a certain district, and one layman, who is a ruling elder, from each parish or church, commissioned to represent the church in conjunction with the pastor. This body has a general jurisdiction over the churches under its care, and next below the provincial synod in authority.

3. (n.) The Presbyterian religion of polity.

4. (n.) That part of the church reserved for the officiating priest.

5. (n.) The residence of a priest or clergyman.

Council of Nicaea Council of Trent Easter sepulcher Lateran Council Sacred College Vatican Council abbacy ambry apse archbishopric archdeaconry archiepiscopacy archiepiscopate baptistery bishopdom bishopric blindstory canonicate canonry cardinalship chancel chaplaincy chaplainship chapter choir church house classis clergy clergy house clerical order clericals cloisters conciliarism conclave conference confessional confessionary congregation consistory convention convocation crypt curacy deaconry deaconship deanery deanship diaconicon diaconicum diocesan conference ecclesiastical council ecumenical council episcopacy manse ministry nave parochial church council parochial council parsonage pastorage pastorate pastorship plenary council porch prebend prebendaryship prelacy prelateship prelature presbyterate priestery priesthood primacy rabbinate rectorate rectorship rectory rood loft rood stair rood tower sacrarium sacristy session synod the cloth transept triforium vestry vicarage vicariate vicarship