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Primate

Revision as of 19:07, February 15, 2008 by Magda (talk | contribs) (Reverted edits by Cristianm (Talk); changed back to last version by Magda)

A primate is the presiding bishop of an ecclesiastical jurisdiction or region. Usually, primate refers to the first hierarch of an autocephalous or autonomous Orthodox Church. Less often, it is used to refer to the ruling bishop of an archdiocese or diocese.

The primate is the first among equals of all his brother bishops of the jurisdiction or diocese of which he is first hierarch, and he is usually elected by the Holy Synod in which he will serve.

See also