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Hello all,
I have heard that the blessing traditionally given by Eastern hierarchs at the Papal funeral will be presided by the Melkite Patriarch.
It was my understanding, however, that Syriac-Catholic patriarch Younan would have precedence, as he has been a Patriarch for longer.
Any idea why it is the Melkite Patriarch?
Thanks!

Well technically the precedence is Constantinople > Alexandria > Antioch > Jerusalem. If precedence determined who presides for that, then it should have been the Coptic Catholic Patriarch. It's not about age either it seems.

Here is the video:

And Arabic!

AXIOS! MUSTAHIC!

But isn't the Greek-Melkite Patriarch Patriarch of Alexandria, Antioch and Jerusalem?

Precedence is established by age of Patriarchate; then by tenure (date of Ordination/Consecration) within.

Age has nothing to do with it. There are Deacons younger than me who are senior to me; and vice-versa.

This is a different can of worms. The Greek-Melkites consider themselves to be 3 different Patriarchates combined. Hence, they have separate cathedrals in Alexandria, Damascus in lieu of Antioch, and Jerusalem. However, the Vatican only considers Antioch their proper Patriarchal Seat. Even more confusing is when the Vatican made the entire Ottoman Empire be the Melkite's canonical territory in the middle 1800's which is why some of their titular sees include those which belongs to the Patriarchate of Constantinople.


My bad, I mixed up age with tenure.

The organizers could have taken into account the presence of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew hence the Greek prayer. The Melkite Patriarch was then chosen because the Melkites would be the closest to Greek amongst the Catholic Patriarchs.

Then again, we may be just overthinking it and the Catholic Patriarchs could have very well discussed it amongst themselves.

The "eastern prayer" was fine but I wonder why each church couldn't offer it's own prayer for the repose of their hierarch, would have been a better expression. Inviting the Orthodox/ Assyrian guests to join in also. Pope Benedict's funeral included the incensing by each of the Heads of the Churches. Very minimalist in this regard.

Can anyone explain why the burial of the Holy Father is a "private ceremony"? My understanding is that a professed monastic or bishop does not have affinity to ones immediate family over the community or church, am I wrong in that regard?

Christ is in our midst!!

From my experience, a private ceremoy makes a lot of sense. The space surrounding the tomb seems small compared to the space(s) that might have been available in the areas under St. Peter's Basillica.

I doubt if the "private ceremony" was about his family. I imagine it was similar to the interment/entombment of other popes. The spaces beneath St. Peter's can't be large enough for big groups.

Among the Byzantine Catholic Churches, the Melkite Greek Patriarch has the Primacy of Honor. However, the Italo-Greeks were and are part of the Patriarchate of Rome, which would theoretically put them First. In the Great Schism they sided with Rome since they were in Southern Italy and by God's Grace, survived to this day.
Christos Anesti! Alithos Anesti! Christ Is Risen! Truly He Is Risen!

Just My ... Three Cents!