Cronos, yes all patriarchs are equal, just as all Apostles were equal, but one was singled out, +Peter, so the Church also singled one out -- the successor to Peter, to be the first among them, but not over them. Eastern Fathers recognized that, trusted in the Pope, ran to him (+Maximos the Confessor) and elevated him (+Chrysostom). When the Christian East was knee-deep in heresy, Rome stood firm to hold and defend Orthodoxy.
The Pope was made first among other patriarchs by an Ecumenical Council and confirmed by Emperor Justin' decree. We Orthodox must abide by those decisions of the EC, and have, and we do. Our non-communion with the Pope is deeply theological and not personal or out of ambition.
Right now, a millennium of separation has led to divergent theology and a vestige of pre-Schism disagreement over the Symbol of Faith. As such, and until that time when we can confidently say that we profess the same Faith as we have for the first 1,000 years and until we agree that our differences are those of language, perception and rite, but not of essence, we cannot commune with the Bishop of Rome, although his honor is that of being first among his brothers.