Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople

"Patriarchate of Constantinople" redirects here. For other patriarchates that have historically resided in the city, see Latin Patriarchate of Constantinople and Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople.
Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople
Symbol of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, as found atop the front entrance of the Patriarchal Cathedral of St. George
AbbreviationEP
ClassificationEastern Orthodox
OrientationGreek Orthodoxy
ScriptureSeptuagint, New Testament
TheologyEastern Orthodox theology
PolityEpiscopal
PrimateArchbishop of Constantinople-New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I
Bishops125 (73 acting, 52 titular)
Parishes525 (in the United States)[1]
Monastics~1,800 (Mt. Athos)
Monasteries20 (U.S),[1] 20 (Mt. Athos), 8 (Australia), 6 (Meteora), 2 (Korea)
LanguageGreek, Turkish, Ukrainian, English, French, Arabic
HeadquartersHagia Sophia, Constantinople (537–1453)
Church of the Holy Apostles (1453–1456)
Pammakaristos Church (1456–1587)
Church of the Panagia Paramythia (1587–1597)
Church of St. Demetrius Xyloportas (1597–1601)
St. George's Cathedral, Istanbul (1601–present)
41°01′45″N 28°57′06″E / 41.02917°N 28.95167°E / 41.02917; 28.95167
TerritoryIstanbul, most of Turkey, Mount Athos, Crete, part of northern Greece, the Dodecanese, Middle East, Greek Orthodox Churches in the Diaspora
Independence330 AD from the Metropolis of Heraclea
Separationsseveral, see list below
Members~203,500 (Turkey)[2][3]
~3,800,000 (Greece)
~5,250,000 (in diaspora)[4]
=9,253,500 (total)
Official websiteec-patr.org
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Eastern Orthodox Church
Christ Pantocrator (Deesis mosaic detail)
Mosaic of Christ Pantocrator, Hagia Sophia
Overview
Background
Organization
Autocephalous jurisdictions
Autocephalous Churches who are officially part of the communion:

Autocephaly recognized by some autocephalous Churches de jure:

Autocephaly and canonicity recognized by Constantinople and 3 other autocephalous Churches:

Spiritual independence recognized by Georgian Orthodox Church:


Autonomous jurisdictions

Semi-Autonomous:

Episcopal assemblies
Noncanonical jurisdictions
Ecumenical councils
  • Other possible ecumenical councils:
  • Other important councils:
History
Theology
Liturgy and worship
Liturgical calendar
  • The four fasting periods:
Major figures
Other topics

The Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople (Greek: Οἰκουμενικὸν Πατριαρχεῖον Κωνσταντινουπόλεως, romanized: Oikoumenikón Patriarkhíon Konstantinoupóleos, IPA: [ikumeniˈkon patriarˈçion konstandinuˈpoleos]; Latin: Patriarchatus Oecumenicus Constantinopolitanus;[5] Turkish: Rum Ortodoks Patrikhanesi, İstanbul Ekümenik Patrikhanesi,[6][7] "Roman Orthodox Patriarchate, Ecumenical Patriarchate of Istanbul") is one of the fifteen to seventeen autocephalous churches that together compose the Eastern Orthodox Church. It is headed by the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople.

Because of its historical location as the capital of the former Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire and its role as the mother church of most modern Orthodox churches, Constantinople holds a special place of honor within Orthodoxy and serves as the seat for the Ecumenical Patriarch, who enjoys the status of primus inter pares (first among equals) among the world's Eastern Orthodox prelates and is regarded as the representative and spiritual leader of Eastern Orthodox Christians.[8][9][10][11][12][13]

The Ecumenical Patriarchate promotes the expansion of the Christian faith and Eastern Orthodox doctrine, and the Ecumenical Patriarchs are involved in ecumenism and interfaith dialogue, charitable work, and the defense of Orthodox Christian traditions. Prominent issues for the Ecumenical Patriarchate's policy in the 21st century include the safety of the believers in the Middle East, reconciliation of the Eastern Orthodox and Catholic churches,[14] and the reopening of the Theological School of Halki, which was closed down by the Turkish authorities in 1971.[15][16]

  1. ^ a b Krindatch, Alexei (2011). Atlas of American Orthodox Christian Churches. Brookline, MA: Holy Cross Orthodox Press. p. 143. ISBN 978-1-935317-23-4.
  2. ^ "'Turkey (Türkiye)'". U.S. Department of State.
  3. ^ Erol, Su (2015). "The Syriacs of Turkey". Archives de sciences sociales des religions (171): 59–80. doi:10.4000/assr.27027. Archived from the original on 2019-06-26.
  4. ^ "'Ecumenical Patriarchate'". World Council of Churches.
  5. ^ Pontificia Commissio Codici Iuris Canonici Orientalis Recognoscendo Vatican City State, 1978, p. 3 (in Latin)
  6. ^ Ortaylı, İlber (2003). "Osmanlı Barışı", p. 14. ISBN 975-6571-50-0.
  7. ^ In Turkey it is also referred to unofficially as Fener Rum Patrikhanesi, "Roman Patriarchate of the Phanar"
  8. ^ Fairchild, Mary. "Christianity:Basics:Eastern Orthodox Church Denomination". about.com. Archived from the original on 5 June 2016. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
  9. ^ "The Patriarch Bartholomew". 60 Minutes. CBS. 20 December 2009. Archived from the original on 2021-06-26. Retrieved 26 June 2021.
  10. ^ "Biography - The Ecumenical Patriarchate". www.patriarchate.org. Retrieved 2019-12-11.
  11. ^ Winfield, Nicole; Fraser, Suzan (30 November 2014). "Pope Francis Bows, Asks For Blessing From Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew In Extraordinary Display Of Christian Unity". Huffington Post. Archived from the original on 2016-03-17. Retrieved 2019-12-11.
  12. ^ Finding Global Balance. World Bank Publications. 2005. p. 119. Retrieved 2 August 2015. His All Holiness is the spiritual leader of 300 million Orthodox Christians worldwide
  13. ^ "Who is the Ecumenical Patriarch? - Apostolic Pilgrimage of Pope Francis and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to Jerusalem". www.apostolicpilgrimage.org. Archived from the original on 2021-06-04. Retrieved 2019-12-11.
  14. ^ "Pope Francis and Ecumenical Patriarch sign Christian unity declaration". 30 November 2014.
  15. ^ Commander opposed Halki Seminary reopening over fears Archived 2011-01-22 at the Wayback Machine Today's Zaman, 21 January 2011.
  16. ^ H. CON. RES. 50 United States, House of Representatives, 28 March 1995.