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Who is the boss of the Orthodox Church?

Published in Orthodox Church Leadership 2 mins read

While the Orthodox Church does not have a single "boss" or supreme leader in the same way the Roman Catholic Church has the Pope, the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople holds a unique position as primus inter pares (first among equals) among the heads of the various self-governing (autocephalous) Eastern Orthodox Churches.

Understanding the Role of the Ecumenical Patriarch

The Ecumenical Patriarch serves as a spiritual leader and a primary spokesperson for Orthodox Christianity worldwide. His role is primarily one of honor, coordination, and spiritual guidance, rather than direct administrative authority over all other Orthodox churches. He convenes pan-Orthodox councils, presides over discussions concerning inter-Orthodox relations, and acts as a facilitator for unity among the diverse Orthodox jurisdictions.

Key aspects of his position include:

  • Spiritual Primacy: Recognized as the "first among equals" by all Orthodox Churches.
  • Historical Significance: His see, Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul), was historically the capital of the Byzantine Empire and a crucial center for early Christianity.
  • Coordination: He plays a vital role in coordinating common actions and positions among the autocephalous Orthodox Churches.
  • Dialogue: Represents the Orthodox Church in dialogues with other Christian denominations and religions.

The Current Incumbent

The incumbent holder of this esteemed office is His All Holiness Bartholomew. He has served as the Ecumenical Patriarch since November 2, 1991, making him one of the longest-serving leaders in contemporary Christianity.

His full official title is the Archbishop of Constantinople, New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch. He is the spiritual leader of approximately 300 million Eastern Orthodox Christians globally, though his direct administrative authority extends primarily over his own patriarchate.

Structure of the Eastern Orthodox Church

Unlike the centralized structure of the Roman Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church is a communion of independent, self-governing churches, each with its own Patriarch or Archbishop. These churches include:

  • The Patriarchates of Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem
  • The Russian Orthodox Church
  • The Serbian Orthodox Church
  • The Romanian Orthodox Church
  • The Bulgarian Orthodox Church
  • The Georgian Orthodox Church
  • The Church of Cyprus
  • The Church of Greece
  • The Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania
  • The Orthodox Church of Poland
  • The Orthodox Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia
  • The Orthodox Church in America (recognized as autocephalous by some)

Each of these churches governs itself, but they are united by shared doctrine, sacraments, and a common understanding of their relationship to the Ecumenical Patriarch, who symbolizes their unity.