πατριάρχης
patriárchismasculine
The Greek word for patriarch is πατριάρχης (patriárchis).
πατριάρχης is a masculine noun used to describe a male leader. When you are specifically referring to the head of an Eastern Orthodox Church, the word is often capitalized as Πατριάρχης.
Meaning: male leader (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of πατήρ (father) and ἄρχων (ruler/leader).
How does it change in a sentence?
The word follows a third declension masculine pattern. The genitive singular form is του πατριάρχη (of the patriarch) and the plural form is πατριάρχες (patriarchs).
How do you pronounce it?
patriárchis
Did you know?
- While the word is traditionally holy, calling someone a πατριάρχης in modern Greek can be a sarcastic way to mock a person who is acting like an old-fashioned or domineering 'boss'.
- In the Eastern Orthodox tradition, the Πατριάρχης of Constantinople is known as the 'First Among Equals', meaning he has primacy of honor but not absolute power over other patriarchs.
- While πατριάρχης denotes a leader, the root ἄρχων is also the source of the English word 'anarchy', which literally means 'without a ruler'.
Examples in context
- Ο Πατριάρχης υπήρξε σημαντικός στη διαμόρφωση της Εκκλησίας.The patriarch played a significant role in shaping the Church.
- Ο Δημήτριος Α' είναι ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος και Πατριάρχης Κωνσταντινουπόλεως.Dimitrios I is the Archbishop and Patriarch of Constantinople.
- Ο Πατριάρχης είναι πάντα πολύ ευγενικός και φιλόξενος.The patriarch is always very kind and hospitable.
- Καλώς ήλθατε, Πατριάρχη, στην ταπεινή μου κατοικία.Welcome, Patriarch, to my humble home.
- Ο πατριάρχης έδωσε την ευλογία.O patriárchis édose tin evlogía.The patriarch gave the blessing.
- Ποιος είναι ο νέος πατριάρχης;Poís eínai o néos patriárchis;Who is the new patriarch?
- Ο πατριάρχης μιλάει στην εκκλησία.O patriárchis miláei stin ekklisía.The patriarch is speaking in the church.
Example conversation
Anastasia and Nikos are discussing a religious news report.
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΕίδες τις ειδήσεις για τον πατριάρχη;Eídes tis eidíseis gia ton patriárchi?Did you see the news about the patriarch?
- Νίκος NikosΌχι, τι έγινε με τον πατριάρχη;Óchi, ti égine me ton patriárchi?No, what happened with the patriarch?
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΟ πατριάρχης επισκέφθηκε το εξωτερικό.O patriárchis episkéftise to exoterikó.The patriarch visited abroad.
- Νίκος NikosΑυτό είναι πολύ σημαντικό.Autó einai polý simantikó.That is very important.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “patriarch” translations and entries πατριάρχης, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
