An established church is a religious institution that has been recognized as the official, dominant faith of a particular country or region. The term is often used to describe a church that has been accorded legal or constitutional status by a government. Synonyms for the established church include state church, national church, official church, or established religion. Such a church may have special privileges, such as tax-exempt status, the right to perform certain functions, or a special relationship with the government. While the term is generally associated with the Christian faith, it can also be applied to other religions that have a similar relationship with the state.