hierocracy
/hʌɪ(ə)ˈrɒkrəsi
/noun (plural hierocracies) [mass noun]
1Rule by priests.These people promoted the Temple-centered sacrificial hierocracy, legitimated by the Persian authority, with high priests appointed by the Persian authorities.
1.1 [count noun] A ruling body composed of priests.He was brought up a Catholic, and maintained strong relationships with both the Protestant and Catholic hierocracies....
- It isn't a mind-altering cult that prays to lords and spiritual sources like Christianity and other forms of organized religion or hierocracies.
- Totalitarian dictatorships and religious hierocracies become so paranoid about their continuity, that every minute aspect of life is legislated for and internal revolution only becomes possible when external disturbances disrupt the structure.
Derivatives
hierocratic
- Religious leadership remained for the most part in the hands of the ulama - a class of religious scholars whose authority was based on their knowledge of scripture, but not on hierocratic or spiritual power.
- Against these ‘Powers,’ a rival movement emerged and challenged the hierocratic party, particularly opposing the Zadokite priesthood and their monopoly over Second Temple Judaism.
- Groups defined as heretical shared three basic characteristics: a Church ban on their beliefs, persistence in opposition to the Church, and use of Biblical or evangelical virtues to challenge the hierocratic authority.