Patriarch of Alexandria

The Patriarch of Alexandria is the bishop of Alexandria, Egypt. Historically, this office has held the title of Pope, and did so before it was bestowed upon the Bishop of Rome. Bestowing the title on Rome's patriarch did not strip it from Alexandria's. 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 and is also known as the Pope of Egypt to distinguish him from the Pope of Rome.

• The Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Alexandria, the leader of the Orthodox Church of Alexandria, known as Pope of Alexandria and All Africa and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark.

• 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

• Pentarchy

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