Patriarch

See also: Patriarch (Hebrew saint)

The patriarch of a local church is the highest administrative and honorific position held by a bishop. He is the head of the local synod. The head of a local church may also be known by another name such as archbishop or catholicos. The generic term for any of these heads of local churches is primate.

The historic Pentarchy consisted of the patriarchs of Rome, Constantinople, Alexandria, Jerusalem, and Antioch. The bishop of Rome was first among equals and would preside over synods when present, with Constantinople etc. next in line. In their history some of these—such as Alexandria and Antioch—fell away from the faith and were recreated from scratch. Rome was lost permanently in the Great Schism. New patriarchates were also established.

At present, all of the official patriarchates are World Orthodox (or Roman Catholic). True Orthodox are no longer in communion with any of the patriarchates. It remains to be seen whether they will return or if all of them will fall away into permanent ecumenism.

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