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In the early [[New Testament]] era the '''Patriarch''' refers to the highest-ranking [[bishop]] in a self-governing and historically significant [[Christian]] center. The most famous are the ancient patriarchates of Rome, Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem, which the last four are [[Eastern Orthodox]] jurisdictions.

In the early [[New Testament]] era the '''Patriarch''' refers to the highest-ranking [[bishop]] in a self-governing and historically significant [[Christian]] center. The most famous are the ancient patriarchates of Rome, Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem, which the last four are [[Eastern Orthodox]] jurisdictions.

The head of the [[Roman Catholic Church]], the [[Pope]], is styled the "Patriarch of the West" while the leader of Eastern Orthodoxy, the Patriarch of Constantinople, is styled the "Ecumenical Patriarch." In more recent years, newer bishoprics have had the title of "patriarchate" given to them. Examples are the Orthodox churches in Russia (i.e. Moscow), Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria, and Georgia, plus the Roman Catholic Church's own patriarchate of Jerusalem.  

The head of the [[Roman Catholic Church]], the [[Pope]], is styled the "Patriarch of the West" while the leader of Eastern Orthodoxy, the Patriarch of Constantinople, is styled the "Ecumenical Patriarch." In more recent years, newer bishoprics have had the title of "patriarchate" given to them. Examples are the Orthodox churches in Russia (i.e. Moscow), Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria, and Georgia, plus the Roman Catholic Church's own patriarchate of Jerusalem which is separate from the [[Orthodox_Church#Church_of_Jerusalem | Orthodox patriarch of Jerusalem]].  

The term is also used to refer to any supremely high-ranking [[male]] figure in a [[family]] or social group.

The term is also used to refer to any supremely high-ranking [[male]] figure in a [[family]] or social group.