### legate, synod
legate To settle important ecclesiastical and diplomatic cases the popes sent representatives from their own environment since the early times, who - as temporary ministers (so-called side ministers) - represented the power and interests of the head of the Church in the courts and countries of the given rulers. They were usually cardinals, whose circle of duties varied from church disciplinary matters to inner problems of certain countries, and they were commissioned to many countries. Bright outer signs showed their dignitaries: they were preceeded by a cross, they had a marvellous escort and a throne to sit on. Their sphere of rights was precisely fixed by the Pope, and their most powerful means of force was excommunication, which was quite often used. During the 12th century popes were hindered in sending ministers to Sicily and Hungary by the ruler's privilege, according to which legates could not settle matters in the given countries without the approval of the ruler. Legates often intervened in settling inner power problems in certain countries. SZK synod A meeting where discussions of church matters took place so as to make decisions. This could be universal, concerning the whole church, or local, where only priests of the local church district gathered. In the times preceeding Pope Gregory VII's reform persuits universal and national synods were called together by secular rulers, and at the meeting headed by the given ruler, the participants - secular and ecclesiastical - enacted both secular and ecclesiastical laws. The majority of the laws from the age of St Ladislaus were born at such mixed synods. During Coloman's reign, however, only ecclesiastical synods were held, with the lead of the Archbishop of Esztergom. The 1279 Buda synod was called together by the Pope's legate, and he himself was the chairman. The first synods of church districts are mentioned in sources from the middle of the 13th century. SZK