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Rh Ḥomṣ and Beirut are Metropolitan sees without suffragans. It may be that the new synod, the fourth of ʿAin-Trāz (1909), has made some legislation to this effect. The ordinary bishops, as well as the Patriarch, have certain civil rights over their flocks; each receives a berat from the state to this effect.

When a see is vacant, the Patriarch proposes three candidates; of these the diocesan clergy should choose one. As a matter of fact, the laity, the "Notables of the Nation," play a considerable part in the election. Only at Aleppo is there a special rule, approved by Rome. Here the clergy and notables have absolutely free choice. The Holy See has no voice nor part in the election of Melkite bishops. They are ordained by the Patriarch, with two assistants. Besides the diocesan Ordinaries there are a certain number of titular bishops, either Patriarchal Vicars or Ordinaries who have retired. The Patriarch may name and ordain any titular bishops he pleases. They are called Synkelloi. Their titles are those of ancient sees in the country which no longer have Ordinaries.

A curious right of the Ordinary is that no one may marry without his consent.

The lower clergy is either secular or regular. Till the time of Maximos III the Melkite clergy consisted almost entirely of monks of the two Congregations. One of that Patriarch's