Patriarch of Jerusalem

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The term Patriarch of Jerusalem can refer to the holders of one of four offices:

• The Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, who is one of nine highest-ranking Eastern Orthodox bishops, called patriarchs. He is fifth in line after the Patriarchs of Rome, Constantinople, Alexandria and Antioch.
• The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, who is the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Jerusalem.
• The Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem, who in addition to representing the interests of his own church, is in communion with the other churches of the Oriental Orthodox communion.

Only the Greek Orthodox can trace their Jerusalem patriarchy back in a direct and uninterrupted line to James the Just, brother of Jesus, who was head of the first Christian Church in Jerusalem. The first Roman Catholic patriarch was Arnulf of Chocques (elected in 1099), up until that time all Christians in the Holy Land were under the care of the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem.

See also Anglican Bishop of Jerusalem