Originally, a patriarch was a man who exercised autocratic authority as a pater familias over an extended family. The system of such rule of families by senior males is termed patriarchy. This is a Greek word, a compound of πατριά (patria), "lineage, progeny", esp. by the father's side (which derives from the word πατήρ – patēr meaning "father") and ἄρχων (archon) meaning "leader", "chief", "ruler", "king", etc.
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are referred to as the three patriarchs of the people of Israel, and the period during which they lived is termed the Patriarchal Age. It originally acquired its religious meaning in the Septuagint version of the Bible.
The word has acquired specific ecclesiastical meanings. In particular, the highest-ranking bishops in Eastern Orthodoxy, Oriental Orthodoxy, the Roman Catholic Church (above Major Archbishop and Primate), and the Assyrian Church of the East are termed Patriarchs (and in certain cases also popes). The office and ecclesiastical circumscription (comprising one or more provinces, though outside his own (arch)diocese he is often without enforceable jurisdiction) of such a Patriarch is termed a Patriarchate. Historically, a Patriarch may often be the logical choice to act as Ethnarch, representing the community that is identified with his religious confession within a state or empire of a different creed (as Christians within the Ottoman Empire).
Read more about Patriarch: Catholic Church, Independent Patriarchs, Mormonism
Other articles related to "patriarch, patriarchs":
... a noble layman from a local family, was appointed Patriarch of Constantinople, the most senior episcopal position save only that of Rome ... Emperor Michael III had deposed the previous patriarch, Ignatius ... The 869–870 Council condemned Photius and deposed him as patriarch and reinstated his predecessor Ignatius ...
... According to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a patriarch is one who has been ordained to the office of Patriarch in the Melchizedek Priesthood ... One of the patriarch's primary responsibilities is to give patriarchal blessings, as Jacob did to his twelve sons according to the Old Testament ... Patriarchs are typically assigned in each stake (district the name derives from Isaiah 542 "nlarge the place of thy tent.. ...
... Supreme Patriarch or Sangharaja, a title given to senior Theravada Buddhist monks Nasi or Patriarch of the Jews, the head of the Sanhedrin of Israel from 191 BCE to 425 CE Kzinti Patriarch, the leader of ...
... Gregory Nazianzus, Patriarch of Constantinople Patriarch Gregory II of Constantinople Patriarch Gregory III of Constantinople Patriarch Gregory IV of Constantinople Gregory of Cappadocia ...
... Patriarch is the highest rank of bishop of the autocephalous churches in Eastern Orthodoxy, Oriental Orthodoxy, the Roman Catholic Church, and the Assyrian Church of the East ... Patriarch may also refer to Patriarchs (Bible), prominent figures in the Hebrew scriptures, especially Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob Patriarch (Latter Day Saints), the Melchizedek Priesthood office in ...