Back Ekumeniese Patriarg van Konstantinopel AF بطريرك القسطنطينية المسكوني Arabic البطريرك المسكونى فى القسطنطينيه ARZ Patriarca Ecuménicu de Constantinopla AST Патрыярх Канстанцінопальскі BE Вселенски патриарх Bulgarian Patriarch eukumenek Kergustentin BR Patriarca de Constantinoble Catalan Konstantinopolský ekumenický patriarcha Czech Patriarken af Konstantinopel Danish

Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople

"Ecumenical patriarch" redirects here. For the current patriarch, see Bartholomew I of Constantinople. For a list, see List of ecumenical patriarchs of Constantinople.
Archbishop of Constantinople, New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch
Archbishopric
Eastern Orthodox
Incumbent:
Bartholomew
Since 2 November 1991
StyleHis All Holiness
Location
CountryTurkey
Information
First holderAndrew the Apostle (as bishop); Alexander (as archbishop); Anatolius (as patriarch)
Established38 (founded); 451 (granted title of patriarch)
CathedralSt. George's Cathedral, Istanbul
LanguageGreek
Website
Official website

The Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople (Greek: Οἰκουμενικός Πατριάρχης, romanized: Oikoumenikós Patriárchēs) is the Archbishop of Constantinople and primus inter pares (first among equals) among the heads of the several autocephalous churches which compose the Eastern Orthodox Church. The ecumenical patriarch is regarded as the representative and spiritual leader of the Eastern Orthodox Christians worldwide.[1][2][3] The term ecumenical in the title is a historical reference to the Ecumene, a Greek designation for the civilised world, i.e. the Roman Empire, and it stems from Canon 28 of the Council of Chalcedon.

The patriarch's see, the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople is one of the most enduring institutions in the world and has had a prominent part in world history. The ecumenical patriarchs in ancient times helped in the spread of Christianity and the resolution of various doctrinal disputes. In the Middle Ages they played a major role in the affairs of the Eastern Orthodox Church, as well as in the politics of the Orthodox world, and in spreading Christianity among the Slavs. Currently, in addition to the expansion of the Christian faith and the Eastern Orthodox doctrine, the patriarchs are involved in ecumenism and interfaith dialogue, charitable work, and the defense of Orthodox Christian traditions.

Within the five apostolic sees of the Pentarchy, the ecumenical patriarch is regarded as the successor of Andrew the Apostle. The current holder of the office is Bartholomew I, the 270th bishop of that see.[4]

  1. ^ Thomas E. Fitzgerald (1998). The Orthodox Church. Greenwood. p. 117. ISBN 978-0275964382. …he is viewed as the first bishop of the Orthodox Church. As such, the Ecumenical Patriarch is frequently looked upon as the spiritual leader of the 300 million Orthodox Christians throughout the world.
  2. ^ Andrew P. Holt; James Muldoon (2008). Competing Voices from the Crusades. Greenwood World. p. xiv. ISBN 978-1846450112. …Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, the spiritual leader of the world's 300 million Orthodox Christians…
  3. ^ Bron Taylor (2008). Encyclopedia of Religion and Nature. A&C Black. p. 158. ISBN 978-1441122780. The spiritual leader of the over 300 million Orthodox Christians worldwide, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew…
  4. ^ Chryssavgis, John. "Turkey: Byzantine Reflections". World Policy Journal (Winter 2011/2012). Archived from the original on 5 September 2017. Retrieved 31 May 2012.