Dioceses (ecclesiastical)

thumb|right|upright=1.25|Like other dioceses, the Diocese of Rome has a [[cathedra, the official seat of the Bishop of Rome.]]

Eparchy ( eparchía "overlordship") is an ecclesiastical unit in Eastern Christianity that is equivalent to a diocese in Western Christianity. An eparchy is governed by an eparch, who is a bishop. Depending on the administrative structure of a specific Eastern Church, an eparchy can belong to an ecclesiastical province (usually a metropolis), but it can also be exempt. Each eparchy is divided into parishes, in the same manner as a diocese in Western Churches. Historical development of eparchies in various Eastern Churches was marked by local distinctions that can be observed in modern ecclesias

main administrative seat held by a bishop

area of ecclesiastical jurisdiction

legal authority of church leaders over other church members