The term "Catholicos" refers to a high-ranking bishop in certain Christian traditions, particularly within the Armenian Apostolic Church and the Assyrian Church of the East. The title signifies a leader who oversees multiple dioceses and is responsible for spiritual guidance, administration, and maintaining doctrinal integrity within their respective communities.
In the Armenian Apostolic Church, the Catholicos is based in Etchmiadzin, Armenia, and is considered the spiritual leader of all Armenians worldwide. Similarly, in the Assyrian Church of the East, the Catholicos is known as the Catholicos-Patriarch and plays a crucial role in uniting the faithful and preserving the church's traditions.