Try “Becket”, “Moscow” or a year such as “1492”.

← The three churches

Orthodox churches

Moscow became a patriarchate in 1589; Georgia’s church is independent by ancient tradition (recognised by Constantinople in 1990); Jerusalem, Antioch and Alexandria are older sees of equal standing.

Shown through selected figures; click ‘+ more’ beside a century to see every holder.

Also in this family: Georgian Orthodox · Jerusalem · Alexandria

OrthodoxPatriarchs of Constantinople for context
Russian OrthodoxMetropolitans and Patriarchs of Moscow
AntiochGreek Orthodox Patriarchs of Antioch

Or: Georgian Orthodox · Jerusalem · Alexandria

2nd–3rd c.
Cyril Lucaris1620–1638Sent Codex Alexandrinus to England.

1st century

St AndrewByzantium · 1st century, by traditionFounded the see, by tradition.

2nd–3rd centuries

Gregory of NazianzusConstantinople · 379–381Preached the Theological Orations.

John ChrysostomConstantinople · 398–404Preached reform; died in exile.

PIPaul II the JewAntioch · 519–521Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch.John IV the FasterConstantinople · 582–595Took the title ‘Ecumenical’.

TarasiosConstantinople · 784–806Led the Second Council of Nicaea.

Photios IConstantinople · 858–867, 877–886Challenged Rome over the Filioque.

Theodore II of KoloneiaAntioch · 970–976Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch.

Michael I CerulariusConstantinople · 1043–1058Condemned the papal legates, 1054.

PeterMoscow · 1308–1326Primate of the Russian Church.PimenMoscow · 1382–1384Primate of the Russian Church.

Gennadius ScholariusConstantinople · 1454–1456First patriarch under the Ottomans.TheodosiusMoscow · 1461Primate of the Russian Church.

HEHermanMoscow · 1566Primate of the Russian Church.Jeremias IIConstantinople · 1572–1595Made Moscow a patriarchate, 1589.

Cyril LucarisConstantinople · 1620–1638Sent Codex Alexandrinus to England.NikonMoscow · 1652Primate of the Russian Church.

AmbrosiusMoscow · 1768Primate of the Russian Church.

Macarius IMoscow · 1879Primate of the Russian Church.GerasimosAntioch · 1885–1891Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch.

Athenagoras IConstantinople · 1948–1972Lifted the anathemas with Paul VI.Ignatius IVAntioch · 1979–2012Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch.

21st century

Bartholomew IConstantinople · 1991–First among equals in Orthodoxy.KirillMoscow · 2009–Primate of the Russian Church.John XAntioch · 2012–Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch.

Figures are placed in the century in which most of their tenure fell. Source: Wikipedia, September 2026.

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