Major Archbishops

Major Archbishops, like patriarchs, are the heads of their Eastern-rite Churches. They enjoy patriarchal rights in nearly all respects, but without the patriarchal title. There are now four major archiepiscopal Churches, the Ukrainian, Syro-Malabar, Syro-Malankar, and Romanian. Some of them have requested the patriarchal status, the Holy See has deemed the Churches not ancient enough or inopportune to acquire such a status.

The election of a new Major Archbishop requires confirmation by the Pope, whereas that of a new Patriarch needs to be notified to the Pope who will then extend ecclesiastical communion to the new Patriarch.