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.
बिशपों की सफलता का एक राज़ यह था कि हज़ारों की तादाद में पादरी और मठवासी अपने - अपने प्रांत के बिशपों के अधीन रहते थे ।