the annunciation of the patriarch, who signs the newly ordained in the forehead, and proclaims his ordination as bishop or metropolitan of such a church or diocese: another lesson from the gospel is then recited by the new bishop, who receives at the conclusion the episcopal staff.
The ܡܰܦܪܝܳܢܳܐ maphriono, holds a dignity peculiar to the Jacobite church. He takes precedence next to the patriarch. The Syrian writers deduce this office from that sustained by the disciples of the apostles, Adæus, Achæus, and Mari. The name itself some consider to be a corruption of ܡܰܠܦܳܢܳܐ malphono, a doctor; but others, with a greater appearance of correctness, derive it from ܐܰܦܪܝ aphri, a word designative of fruitfulness, and suggesting the idea of paternity; the maphrian being considered as a bishop of bishops, or a pater patrum. In former days his power was all but supreme. He instituted episcopal sees, ordained and deposed bishops, and discharged in general those pontifical functions in the regions to the East, which the patriarch himself undertook in the West. But the office in the present day is merely titular.
The patriarch is elected by lot, in a synod of the maphrian and bishops, the consecration being performed by the senior members of the episcopal college. His style, or dignity, as proclaimed at his enthronement, is "patriarch of the city of Antioch, and of the whole domain of the apostolic see;" and in his epistolary and official communications, "Ignatius, patriarch of Antioch, the city of God, and of the whole East." The name Ignatius, after the illustrious martyr of Antioch, has been assumed ever since the year 878. The patriarchal residence has been variously at Mabug, Mardeen, Rhesa, Caramit or Amida, and Alep; but it is now
