Hierarchy - Definition - Law Dictionary Home Dictionary Definition hierarchy

Definition :

Hierarchy [fr. Iepos, Gk., sacred, and apxn, government], the body or persons who have the direction in religious concerns and things sacred.

Of whatever denominations may be the persons who take the lead in conducting religious rites, whether they be styled presbyters, elders, ministers, priests, or bishops, they virtually, and according to the true and real meaning of the term, constitute a hierarchy. Hierarchy subsists as much among the chief ministers of the Church of Geneva or of Scotland as in the Church of Rome or of England.