The Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople is the archbishop of Constantinople–New Rome and ranks as the primus inter pares (first among equals) among the heads of the several autocephalous churches that make up the Eastern Orthodox Church. He is widely regarded as the spiritual leader of the world’s 300 million Orthodox Christians.
The term “Ecumenical” dates back to the 6th century AD, when it originally referred to a patriarch with jurisdiction over the entire Byzantine Empire. After the East–West Schism in 1054, which divided the Church into Eastern (Orthodox) and Western (Catholic) branches, the patriarch of Constantinople remained the nominal head of the Orthodox Churches. His title is thus a remnant of the older, now-defunct jurisdiction over all Christendom.
While the patriarch of Constantinople is first in honor among the Orthodox primates, his actual direct authority is quite limited. He enjoys primacy of honor as the coordinator, but not supremacy of jurisdiction over the other patriarchs. He does not determine doctrinal or theological issues that concern the whole Church, but provides a focal point of Church unity, representing the Church both to other Christian Churches and to the world as a whole.
The current Ecumenical Patriarch is Bartholomew I. He was elected as the 270th Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople on October 22, 1991. Bartholomew I is the most prominent Orthodox Christian leader throughout the world today and has been instrumental in revitalizing the worldwide Orthodox community since the fall of the Iron Curtain in 1989. His All Holiness has worked to advance reconciliation among Catholic, Muslim and Orthodox communities, bolstering religious freedom and human rights.
History and Background
The origin of the ecclesiastical office dates back to the Byzantine Empire, when the bishop of Constantinople was elevated to an archbishop in the 4th century. By the 5th century, the bishop (or patriarch) of Constantinople was recognized as the head of the faith in the Byzantine Empire.
After the fall of Constantinople to the Ottomans in 1453 and the Fall of Rome in 1456, Russian tsars considered Moscow to be their rightful successor to Rome and Constantinople. The Russian Orthodox Church grew in importance and asserted that after the fall of Constantinople, the Russian Orthodox Church had de facto succeeded the Ecumenical Patriarch as the “first among equals” within the Eastern Orthodox communion.
However, Constantinople retained its prominence and today the Ecumenical Patriarch is still based in Istanbul (formerly Constantinople) in Turkey. He has direct authority only over his own Archdiocese of Constantinople but is honorary primate of all the Eastern Orthodox Churches.
Responsibilities and Authority
The Ecumenical Patriarch does not enjoy unlimited ecclesiastical or secular power, but he does have several significant responsibilities:
- He is the direct administrative superior of dioceses and archdioceses serving millions of Greek, Ukrainian, Rusyn and Albanian believers in North and South America, Western Europe, Australia and New Zealand.
- He holds a primacy of honor as the first among all the Orthodox bishops, presides over pan-Orthodox synods and councils like the Holy and Great Synod.
- He has the right also to hear appeals in cases of dispute between bishops.
- He enjoys the privilege of being commemorated first at all canonical Orthodox liturgies, events and conferences.
However, he has no direct jurisdiction in matters of faith, doctrine and administration over Orthodox Churches other than the Patriarchate of Constantinople.
Selection Process
The Ecumenical Patriarch is elected by the Holy Synod of the Patriarchate of Constantinople, an electoral college made up of all the Metropolitans under the jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Throne. Once elected, his name is submitted by the Holy Synod to the Government of Greece (which in turn notifies the governments of certain other autocephalous Orthodox Church) for their consent or objection.
If no objection is raised within a prescribed period, the synodical decree is proclaimed. The new Ecumenical Patriarch is then enthroned in Phanar on the Sunday following the proclamation. Between the proclamation and the enthronement, the new patriarch usually delivers a pre-enthronement address.
The Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople is the only patriarchate within the Orthodox Church to have this lengthy confirmation process, which aims to ensure the new patriarch has the approval of civil authorities as well as the Orthodox community.
Notable Ecumenical Patriarchs
Some of the most prominent Ecumenical Patriarchs over the centuries include:
- St. John Chrysostom (c. 349 – 407 AD) – Served as Archbishop of Constantinople during late 4th and early 5th centuries. Remembered for his preaching and public speaking skills. He is honored as a saint in the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches.
- Photius I (c. 810/820 – 893 AD) – Ecumenical Patriarch during the 9th century AD. Highly educated scholar and statesman who is widely regarded as the most distinguished intellect of his age. He vigorously defended Orthodox theology during disputes with Rome.
- Michael I Cerularius (c. 1000 – 1059 AD) – Patriarch of Constantinople who became the catalyst for the start of the East–West Schism in 1054 that precipitated the final separation between the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches.
- Jeremias II (c. 1530 – 1595 AD) – Made contacts with Lutheran Germany and England during the Reformation and initiated reforms in preparation for a future general Council of the Eastern Orthodox Church. Helped revise liturgical books and proposed reforms for monastic life.
- Cyril I Lucaris (1572 – 1638 AD) – Published the first Orthodox Catechism in 1629, which was later condemned by an Eastern Orthodox synod in Jerusalem in 1672.
- Joachim III (1834 – 1912 AD) – Patriarch who revived use of the vernacular in church services for non-Greek speakers. Led effort to remove Latin clergy from the Holy Land after establishment of the Latin Kingdom.
- Athenagoras I (1886 – 1972 AD) – Played a prominent role in ecumenical dialogue between the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches. Exchanged joint declarations with Pope Paul VI in 1965 to advance reconciliation.
The current Ecumenical Patriarch, Bartholomew I, continues to be a leading voice among the Orthodox churches. He has worked tirelessly to strengthen ties with other Christian denominations and faiths, while revitalizing the institutions of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
Relationship with Other Orthodox Churches
The various national autocephalous Orthodox Churches recognize the Ecumenical Patriarch as their leader in the spirit of synodality. He does not wield power over the other churches but enjoys primacy of honor as first among equals. However, this primacy has led to tensions.
The Eastern Orthodox Church as a whole is a communion made up of 14 mutually recognizing autocephalous hierarchical churches. These are churches that are self-governing within their national boundaries. The Ecumenical Patriarch is not a world leader that directs or instructs the independent national churches. His role is one of coordination and leadership, not supreme authority.
Nevertheless, the Ecumenical Patriarch’s position is often disputed by the churches in Russia and Bulgaria. They argue Constantinople is only one of many equal Orthodox bodies and question why the Ecumenical Patriarch should be first among equals. The patriarch does sometimes arouse passions over comments on church-state relations in Orthodox countries other than Turkey.
Relationship with the Catholic Church
For centuries, Christendom was divided into two branches: Eastern (Orthodox) and Western (Catholic) Christianity. The Great Schism of 1054 led to estrangement and separation.
In December 1965, Pope Paul VI and Patriarch Athenagoras I simultaneously lifted mutual excommunications that had been in place since 1054. This was a significant step toward restoring communion. The Ecumenical Patriarch and the Pope of Rome represent the highest leadership in the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches.
Efforts have been made over the last 50 years to reconcile the differences in doctrine, liturgy and church structure that still separate the two branches. However, the split over Papal authority and doctrine remains a key obstacle. The Orthodox rejection of the Catholic dogma of Papal Supremacy is also an ongoing issue preventing full unity and reconciliation.
Recent Activities and Priorities
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew has pursued an active agenda since becoming Archbishop of Constantinople in 1991. He has focused on:
- Promoting reconciliation and strengthening ties with the Roman Catholic Church and other Christian denominations
- Reviving relations with the old centers of Christianity in Western Europe
- Supporting the reopening and rebuilding of Orthodox seminaries and institutions in the lands of the former Soviet Union
- Advancing religious freedom and human rights causes, especially in Turkey
- Speaking out on environmental abuses, urging conservation, pollution control and ecological justice
- Cultivating interfaith dialogue with Judaism, Islam and other religions
Bartholomew has organized environmental symposiums, met with political and faith leaders, visited areas impacted by war and violence, and amplified the voice of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. He continues to serve as a bridge between East and West and between Orthodoxy, other Christian sects and non-Christian faiths.
Controversies and Criticisms
The Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople has faced controversy and criticism over the years on various issues, including:
- Ethnic insularity – All the Ecumenical Patriarchs have been ethnic Greeks, even though most members of the Patriarchate are not Greek. There have been calls for leadership open to other ethnicities.
- Caesaropapism – At times in history, the Ecumenical Patriarch was reduced to a figurehead dominated by the secular ruler of the Byzantine Empire. This mixing of religious and secular authority, called Caesaropapism, was a distortion of church leadership.
- Nepotism – On occasion, the position was treated like a family inheritance or bequeathed to a relative of the preceding patriarch. Standards of merit and spiritual leadership took a backseat to bloodlines.
- Corruption – Critics have sometimes accused the Patriarchate of greed, ostentation and corruption. There have been calls for greater financial transparency and reforms.
- Turkish restrictions – The Ecumenical Patriarchate faces constraints from the Turkish government that undermine religious freedom, prohibit training clergy and seize property. Relations with the state remain challenging.
While those controversies have arisen over the centuries, the office has endured and adapted itself through history as the highest see of Orthodoxy. The Ecumenical Patriarch is considered the spiritual leader of Eastern Orthodox Christianity, even as his role and authority continue to be redefined.
Conclusion
The Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople is an office with an illustrious history dating back to the Byzantine Empire. Today, the Ecumenical Patriarch still serves as primary bishop of his diocese and holds honorary primacy in the Eastern Orthodox communion.
While lacking jurisdiction over other autocephalous Orthodox Churches, the Ecumenical Patriarch facilitates unity and cooperation through primacy of honor. Bartholomew I has been a prominent international figure striving to advance religious freedom, reconciliation and environmental stewardship.
Despite ongoing challenges, the Ecumenical Patriarch continues to personify the living tradition of the Orthodox Church worldwide through faithfulness to canon law and the teachings of Church Fathers. The office endures as a symbolic, unifying focal point for 300 million Orthodox Christians globally.