piiskopid

Piiskopid (bishopid) are ordained clergy who hold the episcopal office, the highest level of ordained ministry in churches that use episcopal governance. The term comes from the Greek episkopos, “overseer.” In most traditions, bishops are charged with pastoral oversight of a geographic area called a diocese or eparchy and with safeguarding the church’s faith and discipline.

Key duties of piiskopid typically include ordaining priests and deacons, confirming believers, preaching and teaching doctrine, and governing the local church in cooperation with other clergy and lay leaders. They lead liturgical worship, govern church administration, and represent their jurisdiction in national or international church bodies. Bishops also participate in ecumenical relations and in decisions on doctrine and discipline.

Appointment and succession vary by tradition. In Catholic, Orthodox and many Anglican structures, bishops are considered to possess apostolic succession and are ordained by other bishops. In these systems, appointments are made by higher church authorities (for example, a pope in Catholicism or a synod/patriarch in Orthodoxy). Some Protestant churches, such as certain Anglican and Lutheran bodies, maintain bishops but others operate without episcopal structures, relying on presbyters or congregational governance.

In Estonia, the term piiskop is used for bishops within the Estonian Lutheran tradition and in the Estonian Orthodox and other Christian communities. Across traditions, piiskopid serve as regional leaders, guardians of doctrine, and connectors between the local church and the wider Christian communion.