Hierarchs

An unofficial name given to a group of senior archbishops, so called because they are at the top of the hierarchy. More than anyone else, these represent the rulership of the church.

Those among this elite group are subject to the jurisdiction of their seniors within the group, and then to the Most Divine Grand Synod and the Pope himself.

<ooc label="Secret knowledge">They are divided into groups known as Synods. Any hierarch can be a member of one or more synods, or may be in none. The 6 Grand Synods are widely known, and their members can be identified by the public, should they spend the time to look up this information. Other synods, however, are less well documented. The existance of some is known only to their members, or to those who are required to obey their decisions. Each synod has its own criteria for selecting members, which may or may not be known outside the group.

Recruiting a new hierarch is a complex procedure. As each only knows the identity of his direct senior, and the chains of command of those beneath him, it is quite possible that the intended candidate may already be in other synods, or may even be a superior. Therefore if one hierarch wishes to induct another archbishop into the group as his junior, he must first pass a request to his own senior. Eventually, either approval or denial will come back down the chain of command. </ooc>