A patriarch is a term used in various contexts to refer to a male figure who holds a position of authority or is regarded as the father or founder of a group. Here are some of the different meanings of the term:
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Eastern Orthodoxy, Oriental Orthodoxy, Catholic Church, Hussite Church, Church of the East, and some Independent Catholic Churches: The highest-ranking bishops in these churches are termed patriarchs.
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Scriptural fathers of the human race or of the Hebrew people: In this context, a patriarch is one of the scriptural fathers of the human race or of the Hebrew people, such as Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
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Male head of a family or tribal line: A patriarch can also refer to the male head of a family or tribal line.
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Founder of an order, class, etc.: In some cases, a patriarch is a person regarded as the father or founder of an order, class, or other group.
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Mormonism: In the Latter Day Saint movement, a patriarch is one who has been ordained to the office of patriarch in the Melchizedek priesthood and is empowered to perform the ordinances of the church and pronounce blessings within a stake or prescribed jurisdiction.
Overall, the term "patriarch" is used to describe a male figure who holds a position of authority or is regarded as a father or founder of a group in various contexts.
