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The organization of the Church, the five great sees or patriarchates, was recognized by the [[Ecumenical Councils]].
The [[First Ecumenical Council|First Council of NicaeaNicea]] singled out three great centers: [[Church of Rome|Rome]], [[Church of Alexandria|Alexandria]], and [[Church of Antioch|Antioch]] (Canon 6). It also laid down that the see of [[Church of Jerusalem|Jerusalem]], while remaining subject to the Metropolitan of Caesarea, should be given the next place in honor after these three (Canon 7). ([[Church of Constantinople|Constantinople]] naturally was not mentioned, since it was not officially inaugurated as the new capital until five years later; it continued to be subject, as before, to the Metropolitan of Heraclea.).
Canon 28 of the [[Fourth Ecumenical Council|Council of Chalcedon]] confirmed Canon 3 of the [[Second Ecumenical Council|Council of Constantinople]], assigning to Constantinople (New Rome) the place next in honor after Old Rome. The Council of Chalcedon also freed Jerusalem from the jurisdiction of Caesarea and gave it the fifth place among the great sees.
