ECUMENICAL. — From the Greek γῆ οἰκουμένη (“inhabited earth”), meaning “universal.” The title of “ecumenical patriarch” was given to himself by the Byzantine patriarch even before separating from the Roman Pontiff, who after some time protested against such usage (v. COSTANTINOPOLI, PATRIARCATO di). At first, the title seems to have alluded to the primacy of the Byzantine patriarchate, not over the whole world, but only within the Eastern Empire. To this day, “ecumenical” is the title of the dissenting patriarchate of Constantinople.
There is also talk of “ecumenical” councils, that is, universal councils, to distinguish them from provincial or national synods (v. CONCILIO).