Episcopal
The word Episcopal is derived from the Greek ἐπίσκοπος epískopos, which literally means "overseer"; the word however is used in religious terms to mean bishop.
Episcopal Churches
Episcopal churches are the churches with bishops, but in the more specific sense non-catholic and non-orthodox churches, and in particular churches founded on the model of Henry VIII's reformed Church of England. The use of episcopal to describe a church is most commonly used to distinguish the organisational structure of protestant churches, thus the word Presbyterian is used to describe churches ruled by elected Elders (Greek πρεσβύτης presbútēs) while the word Episcopal is used to describe churches ruled by bishops. Examples of specific episcopal churches are:
- The Episcopal Church of the United States
- The Scottish Episcopal Church