patriarch (patriark)

[Early mod. E. also patriark; ME. patriark, patriarke = OF. pa triarche, F. patriarche = Sp. patriarca = Pg. patriarca, patriarch a = It. patriarca =D.G.pa triarch = Sw. Dan. patriark, tyme. And the patriarchs , moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt; but God was with him. Acts vii. 9. And you sand pairs of liuing things besides, Vnclean and clean; for th' holy Patriark Had of all kinds inclosed in the Ark. Sylvester, tr. of Du Bartas's Weeks, ii., The Ark. Hence-2. In subsequent Jewish history, one of the heads of the Sanhedrim after the destruc tion of Jerusalem and the dispersion, the patriarch of the Western Jews residing in Palestine, that of the Eastern in Babylon.-3. In the early church, and in the Orthodox Greek and other Oriental churches, a bishop of the highest rank; in the Roman Catholic Church, a bishop of the highest rank next after the Pope. In the early church the highest dignity, which came in time to be designated as that of patriarch, belonged from time immemorial, and as was believed from apostolic days, to the bishops of Rome, Alexandria, and Antioch-these three sees ranking as to dignity, precedence, and privileges in the order named. The Council of Constantinople (A. D. 381) gave the bishop of that see prerogatives of rank next after Rome, and the Council of Chalcedon (451) confirmed this, decreeing that this canon conferred an equality of prerogatives with Rome, still leaving the latter see, however, a higher rank. Since that time Constantinople has always stood at the head of the orthodox Oriental sees, and since the sixth century its bishop has borne the title of ecumenical patriarch. The patriarchal dignity of Jerusalem was not recognized till the Council of Chalcedon. Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem still remain the four great patriarchates of the orthodox Eastern Church. In 1582 Moscow was made a patriarchate, ranking next after these, but since 1721 the place of patriarch of Moscow has been represented by the Holy Governing Synod. Besides the orthodox Oriental patriarchs, there are others, representing the Armenian, Jacobite, Coptic, and other Oriental churches, and also Latin or Roman Catholic titular patriarchs of the same sees. In the Roman Catholic Church the Pope is regarded as having in his papal capacity a rank superior to his rank as patriarch, and the cardinals also take precedence of patriarchs. There are also three minor patriarchs in the Roman Catholic Church - of the Indies, of Lisbon, and of Venice. The title of patriarch seems have first into use in the Christian church in imitation of a similar title given to the head of a Jewish patria, or group of communities. In general usage it was apparently first given, without definite limitation, to senior bishops or bishops of special eminence. The bishops of the great patriarchal sees were at first called archbishops (in the older sense of that title), From the fourth century the title of patriarch came to be patriarch i cal commonly applied to the bishops of the patriarchal sees, so used in imperial laws of the sixth century. It was not, however, till the ninth century that it became strictly limited to these. Exarchs, metropolitans, and arch bishops rank next after patriarchs. See catholicos. The Primate of all England was also Patriarch of all the British islands. E. A. Freeman , Norman Conquest, V. 158. In correctne of speech, we are a ured by Theodore Balsam on, the Patriarch of Antioch is the only Prelate who has a claim to that title-the proper appellation of the Bishops of Rome and Alexandria being Pope; of Con stantinople and Jerusalem, Archbishop. J. M. Neale , Eastern Church, i. 126. 4. One of the highest dignitaries in the Mormon Church, who pronounces the ble ing of the church. Also called evangelist .-5. A venerable old man; hence, figuratively, any object of patriarchal or venerable aspect. The monarch oak, the patriarch of the trees, Shoots rising up, and spreads by slow degrees. Dryden, Pal. and Arc., iii. 1058. He took his place once more on the bench at the inn door, and was reverenced as one of the patriarchs of the IMG:content-2467.png:[graphic] village. Irving , Sketch-Book, p. 64. Limbo of the patriarchs. See limbo. patriarchal (pā'tri-är-kal), a. [= F. patri arcal = Sp. patriarcal = Pg. patriarchal = It. = patriarcale, taining to a patriarch: as, patriarchal power or jurisdiction. As Rome was the mother citie of the world, so, by humane institution, we suffered ourselves to be ranged under patriarch all authority, as being the most famous in the West. Bp . Hall , Apol. against the Brownists, xxiii. 2. Subject to a patriarch: as, a patriarchal church. Mosul is in same for Cloth of Gold, and Silke, for fertilitie, and for the Patriarch all Sea of the Nestor i an Christians. Purchas , Pilgrimage, p. 77. 3. Pertaining to or of the nature of a patriarchy. The Patriarchal theory of society is, as I have said, the theory of its origin in separate families, held together by the authority and protection of the eldest valid male ascendant. Maine , Early Law and Custom, p. 196. 4. Resembling or characteristic of a patriarch; venerable. The sire turns o'er wi' patriarchal grace The big ha'-bible, ance his father's pride. Burns, Cottar's Saturday Night. Also patriarchic . Patriarchal cro . See cro 1 . - Patriarchal dispen sation, the period preceding the Mosaic dispensation, during which each patriarchal head of a family was the priest of his own household. patriarchalism (pā'tri-är-kal-izm), n. [ There are unquestionably many a emblages of savage men so devoid of some of the characteristic features of Patriarchalism that it seems a gratuitous hypothesis to a ume that they had pa ed through it. Maine , Early Law and Custom, p. 204. patriarchally (pā'tri-är-kal-i), adv. In the manner of a patriarch; in accordance with patriarchalism.