Synod

From BiblePortal Wikipedia

Charles Buck Theological Dictionary [1]

A meeting or assembly of ecclesiastical persons to consult on matters of religion. Of these there are four kinds, viz.

1. General, where bishops, &c. meet from all nations. These were first called by the emperors; afterwards by Christian princes; till in later ages, the pope usurped to himself the greatest share in this business, and by his legates presided in them when called.

2. National, where those of one nation only come together to determine any point of doctrine or discipline. The first of this sort which we read of in England was that of Herudford, or Hertford, in 673; and the last was that held by Cardinal Pole, in 1555.

3. Provincial, where those only of one province meet, now called the convocation.

4. Diocesan, where those of but one diocess meet, to enforce canons made by general councils, or national and provincial synods, and to consult and agree upon rules of discipline for themselves. those were not wholly laid aside, till by the act of submission, 25 Hen. VIII. 100: 19. it was made unlawful for any synod to meet, but by royal authority.

See Council and Convocation

Webster's Dictionary [2]

(1): ( n.) An ecclesiastic council or meeting to consult on church matters.

(2): ( n.) An assembly or council having civil authority; a legislative body.

(3): ( n.) A conjunction of two or more of the heavenly bodies.

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature [3]

(from Σύνοδος , A Gathering), a meeting or assembly of ecclesiastical persons to consult on matters of religion. (See the monographs cited in Volbeding, Index Programmatum, p. 165.) Of these there are four kinds, viz.

1. General, where bishops, etc., meet from all nations. These were first called by the emperors; afterwards by Christian princes; till, in later ages, the pope usurped to himself the greatest share in this business, and by his legates presided in them when called. See AECUMENICAL.

2. National, where those of one nation only come together to determine any point of doctrine or discipline. The first of this sort, which we read of, in England, was that of Herudford, or Hertford, in 673; and the last was held by cardinal Pole in 1-555. (See Council).

3. Provincial, where those only of one province meet, now called the convocation (q.v.).

4. Diocesan, where those of but one diocese meet to enforce canons made by general councils or national and provincial synods, and to consult and agree upon rules of discipline for themselves. These were not wholly laid aside till, by the act of submission (25 Hen. VIII, art. 19), it was made unlawful for any synod to meet but by royal authority. (See Synods).

Synod is also used to signify a Presbyterian Church court, composed of ministers and elders from the different presbyteries within its bounds, and is only subordinate to the General Assembly (q.v.).

The Nuttall Encyclopedia [4]

Name given to any assembly of bishops in council, and in the Presbyterian Church to an assembly of a district or a general assembly.

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