patriarchs

Cultural  

1. In the Old Testament, the “founding fathers” of the Israelites: Abraham and Isaac, Jacob, and the sons of Jacob. (See Joseph and his brothers.)

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Example Sentences

The leaders, or patriarchs, of Orthodox churches will wear their own style of mitres, a cape called sakkos and an ornate cloth called omophorion, in colours according to their specific traditions.

From BBC • Apr. 25, 2025

Pennington, for example, characterized slavery as “an institution of the dark age” while critiquing the “monarchs, patriarchs, and prophets of the South.”

From Salon • Nov. 10, 2024

Is part of the problem that there are no other Black patriarchs with substantial speaking roles in any of the Bridgerton seasons thus far, so all we’re left with is him?

From Slate • May 4, 2023

Patriarch Kirill and most other Orthodox patriarchs have refused to accept his decision authorizing the second Ukrainian church.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 1, 2023

Huddling at their exclusive clubs, the patriarchs steered construction of important institutions to serve their black brothers and sisters.

From "A Few Red Drops: The Chicago Race Riot of 1919" by Claire Hartfield