The father and ruler of a family; one who governs his family or descendants by paternal right; -- usually applied to heads of families in ancient history, especially in Biblical and Jewish history to those who lived before the time of Moses.
A dignitary superior to the order of archbishops; as, the patriarch of Constantinople, of Alexandria, or of Antioch.
The title of the Jewish leaders in Judea. A title given to a Christian bishop
A major bishop who was the independent head of a major diocese. In the Early Church (from the mid-fifth century) there were five recognized patriarchates: Rome, Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem. After they became autocephalous the Bulgarian and Serbian Churches sought and at times unilaterally assumed this title for the heads of their Churches. At time through pressure they even received recognition for their patriarchial titles from the Constantinopolitan patriarch. (Fine, John V.A. Jr. The Late Medieval Balkans, 625)
Leader of one of the 14 Eastern Orthodox churches.
One who is ordained to give special patriarchal blessings to members of the Church.
title for the heads of the Eastern Orthodox Churches (in Istanbul and Alexandria and Moscow and Jerusalem)
the male head of family or tribe
any of the early Biblical characters regarded as fathers of the human race
a bishop with special authority over the other bishops in an autonomous ritual Church
a Church priesthood calling
a man who reflects God the Father by embracing the biblical role of fatherhood
a special calling in the church, but a father can also give one to his own family
The highest-ranking official of the Orthodox church. In Russia, the position of patriarch was abolished by Peter the Great, in favor of a Holy Synod, made up of individuals selected by the tsar. The Patriarchate was reestablished after the Revolution of 1917.
a man who is the head of a family, group, or race
A successor to an apostle. The pope, who is the successor of Saint Peter and therefore also called the Bishop of Rome, is called the Patriarch of Rome. Other Patriarchs reside in Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem.
the "father figure" of a major central Church seen as having historically given rise to other Churches since the earliest days of Christianity
The Patriarch is the Bishop of Alexandria. The Patriarch has authority over the other bishops of the Coptic Orthodox Church.
Originally one of the Bishops of the four ancient centers of Christianity - Constantinople, Jerusalem, Antioch and Alexandria. Now, the highest dignitary in the Church hierarchy.
1) a bishop who is the Primate of an autocephalous Orthodox church. 2) a bishop who holds a high episcopal rank in the Roman Catholic Church.
(from Latin for "first father") The father and ruler of a family; the head of a tribe.
In the Latter Day Saint movement, a Patriarch (also called Evangelist) is an office of the Priesthood whose main duty is to give Patriarchal blessings. It is considered to be either an office of the Patriarchal Priesthood or the Melchizedek priesthood. In some denominations, there is only one Patriarch, the Presiding Patriarch, who in some cases holds the highest office of the church organization.
