A metropolitan bishop is a bishop who presides over an archdiocese in a particular region. The concept of the metropolitan bishop has existed in various forms in Christianity for centuries. Some synonyms for the term metropolitan bishop include archbishop, primate, and patriarch. Archbishops are usually responsible for a larger geographical territory than bishops, and they often have authority over multiple dioceses or archdioceses. Primates are the highest-ranking bishops in a particular country or region. Patriarchs are bishops who have special authority within their particular church or religious tradition and typically oversee multiple dioceses. In any case, metropolitan bishops play a crucial role in guiding the spiritual and organizational development of the Church within their respective regions.