Ecumenical Patriarchate

The Ecumenical Patriarchate, based in Istanbul, Turkey, is the highest authority in the Eastern Orthodox Church. It oversees numerous Orthodox Christian communities worldwide and promotes unity among them. The Ecumenical Patriarch, currently Bartholomew I, plays a crucial role in addressing theological issues, fostering dialogue with other Christian denominations, and representing Orthodox Christianity on the global stage. Although it does not have the same governance authority as the Pope in Catholicism, it is considered the "first among equals" among other Orthodox bishops and is a vital center for Orthodox faith and tradition.