Episcopacy(n.) Government of the church by bishops; church government by three distinct orders of ministers -- bishops, priests, and deacons -- of whom the bishops have an authority superior and of a different kind.
Thesaurus Entries
abbacy, aedileship, archbishopric, archdeaconry, archiepiscopacy, archiepiscopate, aristocracy, bishopdom, bishopric, canonicate, canonry, cardinalship, chairmanship, chancellery, chancellorate, chancellorship, chaplaincy, chaplainship, chiefery, chiefry, chieftaincy, chieftainry, chieftainship, consulate, consulship, curacy, deaconry, deaconship, deanery, deanship, dictatorship, dictature, directorship, emirate, episcopate, governorship, headship, hegemony, hierarchy, leadership, lordship, magistracy, magistrateship, magistrature, masterdom, mastership, mastery, mayoralty, mayorship, metropolitanate, metropolitanship, nobility, papacy, pashadom, pashalic, pastorate, pastorship, patriarchate, patriarchy, pontificality, pontificate, popedom, popehood, popeship, prebend, prebendaryship, prefectship, prefecture, prelacy, prelateship, prelature, premiership, presbyterate, presbytery, presidency, presidentship, primacy, prime-ministership, prime-ministry, princedom, princeship, principality, proconsulate, proconsulship, protectorate, protectorship, provostry, provostship, rectorate, rectorship, regency, regentship, ruling class, seigniory, seneschalship, seneschalsy, sheikhdom, sheriffalty, sheriffcy, sheriffdom, shrievalty, supervisorship, suzerainship, suzerainty, tribunate, vicariate, vicarship, vizierate, viziership