Exarch

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈɛksɑːk/
• US IPA: /ˈɛksɑɹk/

Origin

Borrowed from Church Latin exarchus.

Full definition of exarch

Noun

1. (historical) In the Byzantine Empire, a governor of a distant province.
2. In the Eastern Christian Churches, the deputy of a patriarch, or a bishop who holds authority over other bishops without being a patriarch.
3. In these same churches, a bishop appointed over a group of the faithful not yet large enough or organized enough to constitute an eparchy or diocese.

Derived terms

• exarchal
• exarchate
• exarchy