hierarchs

Hierarch is a title used in some Christian churches to designate a bishop or other high-ranking clergy who governs a diocese or jurisdiction. The term derives from the Greek hierarkhēs, from hieros "holy" and arkho "to rule," meaning "sacred ruler."

In Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox churches, and in many Eastern Catholic churches, hierarchs include bishops, archbishops, metropolitans, and patriarchs. The label emphasizes spiritual authority and governance rather than a specific rank. Hierarchs oversee dioceses, ordain clergy, and preside over liturgical and sacramental life; they also participate in synods and church governance.

Usage varies by church. Some traditions reserve the term for bishops with metropolitan or patriarchal authority; others use it as a general designation for senior bishops. In Western Latin rites, the term is uncommon in official use, though it appears in academic and historical contexts as a general reference to episcopal leadership.

Historically, hierarchs have led national churches and major sees, and their authority is often exercised in consultation with synods and higher-level see authorities. The structure and titles of hierarchs reflect the broader hierarchy of bishops, archbishops, metropolitans, and patriarchs within a given tradition.

Examples of hierarchical leadership include patriarchs and metropolitans in the Orthodox world, such as the Ecumenical Patriarch, and other senior bishops who head major sees, illustrating the top levels of church governance.