Crossword Genius

They embrace principal system of divine rule (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

thearchy

'system of divine rule' is the definition.

'they embrace principal' is the wordplay.
'embrace' indicates putting letters inside.
'principal' becomes 'arch' (as in arch-enemy).
'they' placed around 'arch' is 'THEARCHY'.

(Other definitions for thearchy that I've seen before include "Ecclesiastical governors" , "rulership" , "Rule by god(s)" , "religious form of ruling" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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