a body of elders in the early christian church.-a judicatory consisting of all the ministers within a certain district, and one layman, who is a ruling elder, from each parish or church, commissioned to represent the church in conjunction with the pastor. this body has a general jurisdiction over the churches under its care, and next below the provincial synod in authority.-the presbyterian religion of polity.-that part of the church reserved for the officiating priest.-the residence of a priest or clergyman.