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

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

The process will go to a runoff, with the successor to Chrysostomos selected by the Holy Synod, the Church ruling body, from among the three clerics who get the highest number of votes on Sunday.

From Reuters

The Church of Cyprus recognised it in 2020, with Chrysostomos standing firm against senior clerics in his church ruling body, the Holy Synod, seen as pro-Moscow.

From Reuters

One of the most active archbishops in recent memory, Chrysostomos enacted a string of reforms, including restoring the church’s decision-making independence after eight centuries by bolstering the Holy Synod with the ordination of new bishops and the drafting of a new constitution.

From Seattle Times