council
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church council
An assembly of high-ranking church dignitaries, especially bishops, to discuss and decide on questions of faith, doctrine, and church discipline.
Das Zweite Vatikanische Konzil führte zu weitreichenden Reformen in der katholischen Kirche.
The Second Vatican Council led to far-reaching reforms in the Catholic Church.
The word 'Konzil' (council) is used almost exclusively in religious, especially Christian, and historical contexts. It practically does not occur in everyday language.
Der Theologieprofessor sprach über die Beschlüsse des letzten Konzils.
The theology professor spoke about the decisions of the last council.
In connection with a council, the verbs 'einberufen' (to convene officially) and 'abhalten' (to hold) are often used.
Der Kaiser berief ein Konzil ein, um den Streit zu beenden.
The emperor convened a council to end the dispute.
To express that something happens or is decided at such an assembly, German uses the preposition 'auf' with the dative: 'auf dem Konzil' (at the council).
Auf dem Konzil wurde über wichtige Glaubensfragen debattiert.
Important questions of faith were debated at the council.
synod
Konzil and Synode are church assemblies that discuss and decide matters of faith or church affairs. Konzil generally refers to a particularly high-ranking assembly, especially of bishops, while a Synode also includes clergy and laypeople as representatives of the church. Use „Konzil“ for the higher-level assembly and „Synode“ for the church’s deliberative institution.
Das Konzil der Bischöfe beriet über eine wichtige Frage der kirchlichen Lehre.
The bishops’ council discussed an important question of church doctrine.
Die Synode aus Geistlichen und Laien beriet über eine wichtige Frage der kirchlichen Organisation.
The synod of clergy and laypeople discussed an important question of church organization.
