A '''primate''' is the presiding [[bishop]] of an ecclesiastical jurisdiction or region. Usually, ''primate'' refers to the first hierarch of an [[autocephalous]] or [[Orthodox Churchautonomous]] or an [[autonomousOrthodox Church]] Orthodox Church. Less often, it is used to refer to the ruling bishop of an [[archdiocese]] or [[diocese]]. The primate is the first among equals of all his brother bishops of the jurisdiction or diocese of which he is first hierarch.