The Supreme Patriarch or Matriarch

An Archbishop can be named The Supreme Patriarch or Matriarch only by a unanimous vote of all the archbishops. When the existing Supreme Patriarch dies, the archbishops convene at the Great Cathedral. Together, they determine who among their number might be an appropriate Supreme Patriarch. All such candidates cannot vote on which of them rises to the office. One can imagine that this is a very useful political tool for removing dissenting voices, and raising a candidate some of the archbishops might oppose fiercely—and it is a method that has been abused in the past. Each archbishop can only name one appropriate candidate, and no more than half of the deliberating body can be forced to sit out the decision. Once appropriate candidates have been selected, the remaining archbishops must come to a unanimous conclusion to name the new Supreme Patriarch or Matriarch. This process can take months. The Supreme Patriarch is the voice of the Church and commands the clergy and the faithful alike.

Type

Religious, Political

Form of Address

The Supreme Patriarch is addressed as “Most Reverend Lord/Lady” or “Most Holy Father/Mother,” and introduced by full title.

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