Final answer:
In the early Christian Church, generally, the laity, or the believers, formed the largest group. Bishops were supervised by either the Pope in the west or the Patriarch of Constantinople and other patriarchs in the east, depending on regional and temporal differences.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the early Christian Church, the hierarchy varied across regions and over time. However, generally, the largest group was the believers or the laity, which included all the baptized believers. The higher positions such as bishops, presbyters and deacons were limited in number.
The bishops were supervised by a higher ecclesiastical authority. In the west, the Pope, who himself was a bishop (Bishop of Rome), was often seen as this higher authority. In the east, the Patriarch of Constantinople and the other patriarchs often had this role. The alignment of authority could differ based on the region and time period.
These supervisory roles were important in the organization and theological debates of the time, such as those seen at the ecumenical councils like the Council of Nicaea where important religious questions and controversies were settled.
Learn more about Early Christian Church Hierarchy