Patriarch of Alexandria--a question

He is also Thirteen Apostle and Bishop of bishops I couldn't find any information in the net about the origin of the titles, only that Alexandrian Patriarch was very influental in ancient times. However it hasn't any theological meaning, it's just Eastern eloquence.

He was also known as Pope

Are we talking about the Coptic Patriarch?

No the church in Alexandria was split by schism when the copts were excommunicated.

ChoirDir said:

No the church in Alexandria was split by schism when the copts were excommunicated.

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Oh, okay. When I heard the word Pope, I thought of the Coptic Church.

Hi Momzilla,

I understand why you went, "huh?!" However, remember most words/phrases used in Orthodoxy are centuries and centuries old, plus they come from an entirely different cultural context, PLUS they are translated from other languages - if you've ever been into lingusitics you've seen how even the smallest changes from language to language will drastically affect how people will interpret meaning.

Sometimes in church as different hymns are being sung, my fiance and I just look at each other and chuckle - the wordings can be SO grandiose! It comes just from those who wrote such things taking a bit of "poetic license", shall we say. In Orthodoxy, it's always good to remember that what someone wrote 15 centuries ago in a completely different culture, might sound a bit strange to our ears. I do not know when or in what situation the Alexandrian patriarch was first endued with this title, but it's just never gone away. We Orthodox are somewhat resistant to change.

If you need to be reassured that we don't account the patriarch of Alexandria with god-like qualities - consider yourself reassured!

Love,
Kat

Anonykat said:

Hi Momzilla,

I understand why you went, "huh?!" However, remember most words/phrases used in Orthodoxy are centuries and centuries old, plus they come from an entirely different cultural context, PLUS they are translated from other languages - if you've ever been into lingusitics you've seen how even the smallest changes from language to language will drastically affect how people will interpret meaning.

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I don't think I'll ever forget the night we were doing the Akathist Hymn and I had to recite whatever Ode it is that says, "Hail O Mystic Heifer". I'm sorry if this sounds a little irreverent, but I about died trying to keep a straight face.

Poor Mary. On one side, she's got Protestants saying her son could have been born from a rock and we would still be saved, and on the other side she has us calling her a cow!

(Speaking of Mary, this isn't really related but I've been dying for an opportunity to share it. One of my friends is a religious studies major. He wrote a paper on the Virgin Mary, in which he wrote something to the effect of, "We believe that since the Assumption, Mary has stood beside her son in heaven." One of his professors, who apparently has a rather peculiar sense of humor, wrote a comment: "That poor lady! I'll bet she's wondering when she can sit down!")

Oh, and it was a long time before I finally figured out what "dewey fleece" means.

the wordings can be SO grandiose!

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I think this hymn from Nativity Orthros sums it up quite well:

"Wherefore, we offer what is better than moneyed tax, namely Orthodox theological sayings"

I LOVE that one!

Moses

I remember the first set of evening prayers I read...After the "Point to thy bed and say:"...It then said if you find a soft pillow there, put instead a stone in it's place.
I was like..."What kind of strange religion did I get myself into here!"

I've got to say that "Judge of the Universe" is the most awesome title ever.

Praying the Akathist to the Cross I ran accross this gem of a phrase:

"Irrational Rational Babblers"

Moses

Lotar said:

I've got to say that "Judge of the Universe" is the most awesome title ever.

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You would LOTAR LOL!!!

I have never heard of the Greek patriarch of Alexandria referred to as Pope.
Jeff the Finn

jeffthefinn said:

I have never heard of the Greek patriarch of Alexandria referred to as Pope.
Jeff the Finn

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Agreed. That is a title of the Coptic patriarch.

It is a title of the greek patriarch too
http://www.greekorthodox-alexandria.org/patriarch.htm