Patriarch (original) (raw)

Originally a patriarch is a man who exercises autocratic authority over an extended family. See patriarchy.

The word has also taken on other meanings. In particular, the highest-ranking bishops in Eastern Orthodoxy and in the eastern rites of the Roman Catholic Church are called patriarchs. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob are referred to as the three patriarchs of Judaism.

Current Patriarchs in the Catholic Church:

• The Patriarch of Rome
• The Coptic Patriarch of Alexandria
• The Greek Patriarch of Antioch
• The Syrian Patriarch of Antioch
• The Maronite Patriarch of Antioch
• The Patriarch of Jerusalem
• The Patriarch of Babylon
• The Patriarch of Cilicia
• The Patriarch of Venice
• The Patriarch of Lisbon

Historical Patriarchs in the Catholic Church:

• The Latin Patriarch of Constantinople
• The Latin Patriarch of Alexandria
• The Latin Patriarch of Antioch
• The Patriarch of the West Indies
• The Patriarch of the East Indies

Current Patriarchs in the Orthodox Church:

• The Patriarch of Constantinople
• The Patriarch of Alexandria
• The Patriarch of Antioch
• The Patriarch of Jerusalem
• The Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia
• The Patriarch Serbian
• The Patriarch of All Romania
• The Patriarch of All Bulgaria
• The Patriarch of All Georgia

Current Patriarchs in Oriental Orthodox Churches

• Coptic Orthodox Church: The Patriarch of Alexandria
• Syrian Orthodox Church: The Patriarch of Antioch
• Assyrian Church: The Patriarch of Babylon
• Armenian Orthodox Church:
  • The Patriarch of Etchmiadzin and Armenia
  • The Patriarch of Cilicia and the Middle East
• Tewahedo Church: The Patriarch of All Ethiopia
• Eritrean Orthodox Church: The Patriarch of All Eritrea