A patriarchate is a top-ranking position in some churches, similar to a CEO in business.

High Rank

Traditionally, a patriarchate implies a male leader, as 'patriarch' means father figure.

Male Leadership

Historical patriarchates often had great influence over both religious and political matters.

The term 'patriarchate' refers to a system in specific religions, like Christianity, not all faiths.

Some religions may have more than one patriarchate, each leading different communities.

Understanding a patriarchate often requires knowledge of the church's hierarchy and structure.

A patriarchate can refer to the duration of a patriarch's leadership, whether long or short.

When learning about a patriarchate, expect to find references to important historical events.

Researching a specific patriarchate helps understand a patriarch's influence over time.