His decisions were absolute and could not be abrogated by inferior members of the ecclesiastical hierarchy.

Learning became essential to advancing in the ecclesiastical hierarchy, and teachers also gained prestige.

Thus, the government was guaranteed an ecclesiastical hierarchy appointed at its pleasure, as well.

Many Christian denominations have an autocephalous ecclesiastical hierarchy of leadership.

I said, blinking rapidly, trying to sum up what little I knew of the ecclesiastical hierarchy.

To be elected to such a position, the approval of both the British authorities and the local ecclesiastical hierarchy was needed.

This university was institutionally independent of the local ecclesiastical hierarchy.

That control was coupled with greater support and patronage of the ecclesiastical hierarchy.

Some idea of status has to be obtained, therefore, if the local ecclesiastical hierarchy is to be understood.

The same usage is also attested in the ecclesiastical hierarchy.