What is "exarch"

Exarch \Ex"arch\, n. [L. exarchus, Gr. ? ? commander; ?,?, out + ? to lead, rule: cf. F. exarque.] A viceroy; in Ravenna, the title of the viceroys of the Byzantine emperors; in the Eastern Church, the superior over several monasteries; in the modern Greek Church, a deputy of the patriarch, who visits the clergy, investigates ecclesiastical cases, etc.

from Late Latin exarchus, from Greek exarkhos "a leader," from ex (see ex-) + arkhos "leader, chief, ruler" (see archon). Related: Exarchate.

n. 1 (context historical English) In the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byzantine%20Empire, a governor of a distant province. 2 In the Eastern Christian Churches, the deputy of a patriarch, or a bishop who holds authority over other bishops without being a patriarch. 3 In these same churches, a bishop appointed over a group of the faithful not yet large enough or organized enough to constitute an eparchy or diocese.

1. n. a bishop in one of several Eastern Orthodox churches in North America

2. a bishop in eastern Christendom who holds a place below a patriarch but above a metropolitan

3. a viceroy who governed a large province in the Roman Empire

In the Byzantine Empire, an exarch (; exarchos) was a governor with extended authority over a province at some distance from the capital Constantinople. The prevailing situation frequently involved him in military operations.

In the Eastern Christian Churches ( Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox and Eastern Catholic), the term exarch has two distinct uses: the deputy of a patriarch, or a bishop who holds authority over other bishops without being a patriarch (thus, a position between that of patriarch and metropolitan); or, a bishop appointed over a group of the faithful not yet large enough or organized enough to be constituted an eparchy/diocese (thus the equivalent of a vicar apostolic).

An exarch was a military governor within the Byzantine Empire and still is a high prelate in certain Christian churches.

In fiction, exarch can mean:

• In the Dark Ages continuation of BattleTech, the title of Exarch is that of the elected chief executive of the Republic of the Sphere.
• In the fictional Warhammer 40,000 universe, the title of Exarch is given to squad leaders of the various Aspect Warrior Shrines of the Eldar race.
• In the fictional Warcraft universe, the title of Exarch is given to military leaders of the Draenei race, as seen in World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade.
• In Mage: the Awakening, the Exarchs are rumored to be the secret masters of reality, ancient Atlantean mages who ascended to the throne of godhood and now rule the world invisibly through their puppets, the Seers of the Throne.

In biology, exarch can mean:

• A pattern of Xylem development

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