ɪnðə bɪɡˈɪnɪŋ, ɪt sˈiːmz ðə kˌoːɹpɪskˈoʊpi ˈɛksɚsˌaɪzd ɹˈɛɡjʊlɚɹ ᵻpˈɪskɑːpəl fˈʌŋkʃənz ɪn ðɛɹ ɹˈʊɹɹəl dˈɪstɹɪkts, bˌʌt fɹʌmðə lˈeɪt θˈɜːd sˈɛntʃɚɹi ðeɪ wɜː sˈʌbdʒɛkt tə sˈɪɾi ɔːɹ mˌɛtɹəpˈɑːlɪtən bˈɪʃəps.
In the beginning, it seems the chorepiscopi exercised regular episcopal functions in their rural districts, but from the late third century they were subject to city or metropolitan bishops.