Maphrian

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

is in the Syrian Church the highest episcopal dignitary after the patriarch of Antioch. The jurisdiction of the maphrian extends over Chaldaea, Assyria, and Mesopotamia. His residence was formerly at Tabriz, beyond the Tigris, but since this see has coalesced with that of Mosul it is at the latter place. Neale (Introd. Hist. of the Eastern Church, p. 152) says that "the maphrians are now only nominally distinguished from the other metropolitans."