CHORE PISCO PUS

(Country bishops, Χωρεπίσκοποι , Episcopi rurales , from χώρα or χωρίον country.) Some considerable difference of opinion has existed relative to the true ministerial order of the cho rep is cop i, some contending that they were mere presbyters, others that they were a mixed body of presbyters and bishops, and a third cla that they were all invested with the authority of the episcopal office. That the latter opinion, however, is the correct one, is maintained by Bishop Barlow, Dr. Hammond, Beveridge, Cave, and other eminent divines of the English Church, together with Bingham, in his “Antiquities of the Christian Church.” Their origin seems to have arisen from a desire on the part of the city or diocesan bishops to supply the churches of the neighbouring country with more episcopal services than they could conveniently render. Some of the best qualified presbyters were therefore consecrated bishops, and thus empowered to act in the stead of the principal bishop, though in strict subordination to his authority. Hence, we find them ordaining presbyters and deacons under the licence of the city bishop; and confirmation was one of their ordinary duties. Letters dimi ory were also given to the country clergy by the cho rep is cop i, and they had the privilege of sitting and voting in synods and councils. The difference between the chore pisco pus and what was, at a later period, denominated a suffragan , is scarcely appreciable, both being under the jurisdiction of a superior, and limited to the exercise of their powers within certain boundaries, enjoying only a delegated power. The cho rep is cop i were at first confined to the Eastern Church. In the Western Church, and especially in France, they began to be known about the fifth century. They have never been numerous in Spain and Italy. In Germany they must have been frequent in the seventh and eighth centuries. In the East, the order was abolished by the Council of Laodicea, A. D. 361. But so little respect was entertained for this decree, that the order continued until the tenth century. They were first prohibited in the Western Church in the ninth century; but, according to some writers, they continued in France until the twelfth century, when the arrogance, insubordination, and injurious conduct of this cla of ecclesiastics became a subject of general complaint in that country; and they are said to have existed in Ireland until the thirteenth century. The functions of the cho rep is cop i are now in great part performed by archdeacons, rural deans, and vicars-general. (See Suffragans .) CHOREUTÆ. A sect of heretics, who, among other errors, persisted in keeping the Sunday as a fast.