There are a few bishops who are referred to as a “patriarch,” and even the pope has the official title of “Patriarch of the West.”
It’s a term that can be confusing to some, as it sounds important, but few know the history of this particular title.
What is a patriarch?
The word itself comes from the Greek patriarches and Latin patriarcha, meaning the father or chief of a race, or a family. It is used many times in the Bible, especially in the Old Testament. Abraham in particular is known as a “patriarch,” the “father” of many nations.
The 12 sons of Israel are similarity known as the “12 Patriarchs,” as they were the fathers of the 12 Tribes of Israel.
Initially this term was borrowed from Judaism in the first few centuries of Christianity to denote higher ranking bishops who were in charge of a specific geographic region.
Over time it became an official title and referred to “archbishops” who were the chief bishop in an area and managed other bishops underneath him.
The Catholic Encyclopedia explains how initially there were only three patriarchs:
The oldest canon law admitted only three bishops as having what later ages called patriarchal rights — the Bishops of Rome, Alexandria, and Antioch. The successor of St. Peter as a matter of course held the highest place and combined in his own person all dignities. He was not only bishop, but metropolitan, primate, and patriarch; Metropolitan of the Roman Province, Primate of Italy, and first of the patriarchs.
When Constantinople rose in political power and influence and declared itself the “New Rome,” it claimed the title of patriarch second to “old Rome.” This was eventually confirmed and Jerusalem was added to the list of patriarchs as well due to its historical significance, resulting in five patriarchates, Rome, Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem.
Patriarchs today
After the Great Schism, when the East split from the West, Orthodox bishops retained the use of the term “patriarch,” which now also referred to the leader of their churches. These bishops are successors to the first bishops who used this term.
When Pope Leo XIV recited the Nicene Creed during his trip to Turkey, all five original patriarchs were present at the joint prayer service, which was seen as a beautiful reflection in the work toward reunification of the ancient churches.
Certain Eastern Catholics also have "patriarchs," for example the leader of the most populous Christian Church in Lebanon, Cardinal Béchara Boutros Raï is known as the Patriarch of Antioch, the leader of the Maronite Church.
His Beatitude Ignatius Youssef III Younan is also known as Patriarch of Antioch -- for the Syriac Catholic Church.
It can be difficult to keep track because five Churches use the title of Patriarch of Antioch: one Eastern Orthodox (the Greek Orthodox Church of Antioch); one Oriental Orthodox (the Syriac Orthodox Church); and three Eastern Catholic (the Maronite, Syriac Catholic, and Melkite Greek Catholic Churches).
