holy synod

American  

noun

Eastern Church.

1. the governing council of an autocephalous church, composed of bishops and presided over by the patriarch or another prelate.

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holy synod British  

noun

1. the governing body of any of the Orthodox Churches

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Etymology

Origin of holy synod

First recorded in 1760–70

Example Sentences

He was investigated by the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church and last December he was retired from his position as head of the Budapest diocese and transferred to the Church in the Czech city of Karlovy Vary.

From BBC

The governing Holy Synod of senior bishops sent letters to all lawmakers outlining its objections.

From Seattle Times

Metropolitan Bishop Panteleimon, a spokesman for the Greek Church’s governing Holy Synod, said that its written objections would be sent to all members of Greece’s parliament and read out at Sunday services around the country on Feb. 4.

From Seattle Times

Although some pro-Russia bishops dissented against the 2020 decision by the 16-member Holy Synod, the Cyprus Church’s highest decision-making body, Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine that began on Feb. 24 consolidated that support.

From Seattle Times

Having read chemistry in Greece and Britain and later taught at high schools, Georgios was elected by a majority on the 16-member Holy Synod.

From Reuters