Bishop of Constantinople
| Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople | |
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| Incumbent: Bartholomew I Since 2 November 1991 |
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| Style | His All Holiness |
| Cathedral | St. George's Cathedral, Istanbul, Turkey |
| First incumbent |
Andrew the Apostle (as bishop) Alexander (as archbishop) Anatolius (as patriarch) |
| Formation | 38 (founded) 451 (granted title of patriarch) |
| Website | www |
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Styles of The Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople |
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| Reference style | His All Holiness |
| Spoken style | Your All Holiness |
| Religious style | Ecumenical Patriarch |
| Posthumous style | N/A |
The Ecumenical Patriarch (Greek: Η Αυτού Θειοτάτη Παναγιότης, ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος Κωνσταντινουπόλεως, Νέας Ρώμης και Οικουμενικός Πατριάρχης, "His Most Divine All-Holiness the Archbishop of Constantinople, New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch") is the Archbishop of Constantinople–New Rome and ranks as primus inter pares (first among equals) among the heads of the several churches that make up the Eastern Orthodox Church. He is widely regarded as the representative and spiritual leader of the 300 million Orthodox Christians worldwide. The term Ecumenical in the title is a historical reference to the Ecumene, a Greek designation for the civilised world, i.e. the Roman Empire, and it stems from Canon 28 of the Council of Chalcedon.
The Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople is one of the most enduring institutions in the world and has had a prominent part in world history. The ecumenical patriarchs in ancient times helped in the spread of Christianity and the resolution of various doctrinal disputes. In the Middle Ages they played a major role in the affairs of the Eastern Orthodox Church, as well as in the politics of the Orthodox world, and in spreading Christianity among the Slavs. Currently, in addition to the expansion of the Christian faith and the Eastern Orthodox doctrine, the patriarchs are involved in ecumenism and interfaith dialogue, charitable work, and the defense of Orthodox Christian traditions.
Within the five apostolic sees of the Pentarchy, the Ecumenical Patriarch is regarded as the successor of Andrew the Apostle. The current holder of the office is Bartholomew I, the 270th holder of the title.
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Wikipedia