Encyclical of the Patriarchs

The "Encyclical of the Patriarchs" was a letter written in 1848 by the patriarchs of Constantinople, Alexandria, Jerusalem, and Antioch. It was a response to Pope Pius IX's encyclical, In Suprema Petri Apostoli Sede, which invited the Orthodox Church to reunite with the Roman Catholic Church. The encyclical from the Orthodox patriarchs criticized papal claims of authority over the entire church and asserted the independence of the Orthodox Church.1

An encyclical is generally a pastoral letter from a pope or other high-ranking church leader, often addressing matters of doctrine, morals, or discipline to the faithful. The patriarchs of important sees, such as Constantinople, hold significant leadership roles within the Eastern Orthodox Church.23