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The organization of the Church, the five great sees or patriarchates, was recognized by the [[Ecumenical Councils]].
The [[First Ecumenical Council|First Council of Nicea]] singled out three great centers: [[Church of Rome|Rome]], [[Church of Alexandria|Alexandria]], and [[Church of Antioch|Antioch]] (Canon 6). It also laid down that the see of [[Church of Jerusalem|Jerusalem]], while remaining subject to the Metropolitan of [[Caesarea]], should be given the next place in honor after these three (Canon 7). ([[Church of Constantinople|Constantinople]] naturally was not mentioned, since it was not officially inaugurated as the new capital until five years later; it continued to be subject, as before, to the Metropolitan of [[Heraclea]].).
Canon 28 of the [[Fourth Ecumenical Council|Council of Chalcedon]] confirmed Canon 3 of the [[Second Ecumenical Council|Council of Constantinople]], assigning to Constantinople (New Rome) the place next in honor after Old Rome. The Council of [[Chalcedon]] also freed Jerusalem from the jurisdiction of Caesarea and gave it the fifth place among the great sees.
