Patriarch of Alexandria
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The Patriarch of Alexandria is the (arch)bishop of Alexandria and Cairo, Egypt. Historically, this office has included the designation of Pope, and did so before at least as early as that of the Bishop of Rome. The use of the title by the Roman bishop did not restrict it to himself or deprive it from his Alexandrian colleague. There are currently three claimants to this title:
- The Coptic Orthodox Patriarch of Alexandria, the leader of the Coptic Orthodox Church, known as Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark.
- The Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Alexandria, the leader of the Orthodox Church in Alexandria, Egypt and throughout the African continent. His title is Pope and Patriarch of the Great City of Alexandria, Libya, the Pentapolis, Ethiopia and All Africa; Father of Fathers, Shepherd of Shepherds, Bishop (Archpriest) of Bishops (Archpriests), the Thirteenth Apostle and Judge (Arbitrator) of the Universe (the Oecumene).
- The Coptic Catholic Patriarch of Alexandria, the leader of the Coptic Catholic Church, known as Patriarch of Alexandria of the Copts.
According to church tradition, the patriarchate was founded in 42 by the Apostle Saint Mark the Evangelist. All churches acknowledge the same succession of church leaders up to about the dividing Council of Chalcedon 451. See the linked articles for a list of the primates of each church.
See also
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