With the gradual decline of civil administration outside the capital, bishops often became the most powerful men in their cities, on a par with provincial governors, whom they helped to select.
वरती दाखवल्याप्रमाणे, चर्चमधील अधिकारपद आणि राजकारण एकमेकांत पूर्णपणे गुंफलेले होते.