Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople (Byzatium)
| Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople | |
|---|---|
.svg) Symbol of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople | |
| Abbreviation | EP |
| Classification | Eastern Orthodox Church |
| Orientation | Greek Orthodoxy |
| Scripture | Septuagint, New Testament |
| Theology | Eastern Orthodox theology |
| Polity | Episcopal |
| Primate | Archbishop of Constantinople-New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch John XIX |
| Bishops | 308 (201 acting, 55 titular, 52 abroad) |
| Monastics | ~1,800 (Monastic community of Mount Athos) |
| Language | Greek, Serbian, Bulgarian, Albanian, English, French, Korean |
| Headquarters | Hagia Sophia, Constantinople |
| Territory | Byzantine Empire, Greek Orthodox Churches in the Diaspora |
| Independence | 330 AD from the Metropolis of Heraclea |
| Members | ~117,000,000 (Byzantine Empire) ~3,000,000 (in diaspora)1 |
The Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople (Greek: Οἰκουμενικὸν Πατριαρχεῖον Κωνσταντινουπόλεως, romanised Oikoumenikón Patriarkhíon Konstantinoupóleos) is the autocephalous church of the Eastern Orthodox Church having jurisdiction over the Byzantine Empire. It is headed by the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople.
Because of its location as the capital of the 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.
The Ecumenical Patriarchate promotes the expansion of the Christian faith and Eastern Orthodox doctrine, and the Ecumenical Patriarchs are involved in 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, and reconciliation of the Eastern Orthodox and Catholic churches.
The Empire and the Emperor
The Church is not a sacramental community separate from the political community, since it operates in both of the same divine reason, and so both must be the same community, joined by the emperor under the guidance of God. The Roman Empire is identified with the Ecumenical Patriarchate in the end of Imperial unity. The Roman Empire is seen as the imitation of the heavenly monarchy. Within this representation, the Roman Emperor is God's representative, unites the Imperial authorities and the doctrine of the Church.
The Empire itself corresponds to the divine plan: the political unity of the universe that must be made by the Empire is a necessary condition so that the truths of religion and worldly happiness could be spread. Between the heavenly and the earthly monarchy there are close links: as there is only one God, so there must be only one Emperor, just as there should be one law, one of the Empire. Therefore, the Emperor is the legitimate head of the Church as its main task is to guard the integrity and watch over it, even if the internal discipline is entrusted to the Ecumenical Patriarchate itself.
The Emperor has supreme power on the spiritual and material interests of his subjects, and therefore the Church is inscribed in the state. The exercise of power is very closely connected with the practice of virtue and the model of choice for those in power is Christ. The imperial authority is the manifestation of divine power.
The emperor is the supreme head by law of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. While the Church is the conduct of men to eternal life belongs to the emperor, however, the task of leading them to earthly happiness.
Endemic Synod
The Endemic Synod or "Permanent" Synod (Greek: ἐνδημοῦσα σύνοδος, endemousa synodos) is the permanent standing synod of bishops of the Patriarchate of Constantinople that meets to deal with issues of discipline and dogma. It is convoked and presided over by the patriarch.
Only Exarchs, autocephalous archbishops and the titular Eparchs acting as administrative officials of the patriarch (of which there were five) are permitted to attend meetings. The synod gathers after the death of a Patriarch and proposes three names to the Emperor to fill the vacancy. It also proposes three names to the Patriarch upon the vacancy of a Exarchate.
The Endemic Synod may in theory be called by an Emperor against a Patriarch, although this never happened after 1881. Since the 18th century, its remit has been limited to strictly spiritual affairs. Until 1949, members took an oath of fidelity to the king and government. Their deliberations were controlled by an Imperial commissioner, who was a layman chosen by government. No act was valid without the commissioner's assent.
The Endemic Synod usually meets two times a year, in spring and autumn in ordinary sessions but extraordinary sessions are organized whenever necessary.
Ecclesiastical Provinces
The Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople is subdivided in several Ecclesiastical Provinces, known as Exarchates, each headed by an Exarch. The Exarch is an Eparch enthroned to the Eparchy designated as capital of the relevant Exarchate.
The Exarchates consists of two or more Eparchies, of which one is considered Metropolitan and, as such, its Eparch carries the responsibility for the Exarchate itself.
Each Exarch presides over the local Synod and some jurisdiction and government bodies.
The Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople is subdivided into 20 Exarchates:
- Exarchate of Constantinople: held by the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople himself, and corresponding to Byzantium Special City and Obsikon;
- Exarchate of Antioch: corresponding to Eastern Anatolia. The Exarch of Antioch bears the title of Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and is considered among the ancient Pentarchy;
- Exarchate of Jerusalem: in charge for the Byzantine diaspora in non-Orthodox countries in Middle East. The Exarch of Jerusalem bears the title of Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem;
- Exarchate of Amida: corresponding to Western Anatolia;
- Exarchate of Ankyra: corresponding to Central Anatolia;
- Exarchate of Athens: corresponding to Attica-Thessalia and Acaia-Morea;
- Exarchate of Heraklion: corresponding to Crete;
- Exarchate of Lefkosía: corresponding to Cyprus;
- Exarchate of Serdica: corresponding to Moesia;
- Exarchate of Skopje: corresponding to Macedonia;
- Exarchate of Singidonon: corresponding to Serbia and Dalmatia;
- Exarchate of Trebizond: corresponding to Paphlagonia-Pontus;
- Exarchate of Tirana: corresponding to Epirus;
- Exarchate of Carthage: in charge for the Byzantine diaspora in non-Orthodox countries in Africa.
- Exarchate of the West: in charge for the Byzantine diaspora in non-Orthodox countries in Western Europe;
- Exarchate of the East: in charge for the Byzantine diaspora in non-Orthodox countries in Eastern Europe;
- Exarchate of North America: in charge for the Byzantine diaspora in non-Orthodox countries in Canada, the U.S., and Mexico;
- Exarchate of Central America: in charge for the Byzantine diaspora in non-Orthodox countries in Central America;
- Exarchate of the Indies: in charge for the Byzantine diaspora in non-Orthodox countries in India and Indochina;
- Exarchate of the Pacificus: in charge for the Byzantine diaspora in non-Orthodox countries in the Pacificus Ocean.
Eparchy
The Eparchy is the ecclesiastical unit of the Patriarchate. An Eparchy is governed by an ecclesiastical Eparch, who is a bishop.
As a rule, each Civil Eparchy of the Byzantine Empire corresponds to a Church Eparchy (or diocese). Crete is an exception, being a single Civil Eparchy but counting five ecclesiastical Eparchies. On the other hand, Dalmatian Eparchies are grouped into fewer dioceses.
Abroad, Eparchies tend to be large territorial units, often claiming responsibility for one or more countries.