(Greek: episkopos, overseer)
Divinely instituted member of the ecclesiastical hierarchy, and successor of the Apostles. The Sacrament of Orders, i.e.,consecration, confers on bishops spiritual power in the Church, and imprints on their souls an indelible spiritual character. In the hierarchy of orders they are superior to priests; in the hierarchy of jurisdiction by Christ's will, they rule a diocese, in due dependence and submission to the Roman pontiff.
Notable occurences of bishops in art include
Saint Ambrose of Milan bishop holding a church in his hand
Saint Juvenal of Narni bishop holding a chalice
bishop with a sword in his teeth