Neophytus VI of Constantinople

Summary

Neophytus VI (Greek: Νεόφυτος; died 1747) was Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople for two terms, from 1734 to 1740 and from 1743 to 1744.

Neophytus VI
Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople
ChurchChurch of Constantinople
In office
  • 27 September 1734 – August 1740
  • May 1743 – March 1744
Personal details
Bornunknown
DiedFebruary or March 1747
Patmos
Previous post(s)Metropolitan of Caesarea in Cappadocia

Life edit

Neophytus was born in Patmos, and when the Metropolitan of Caesarea in Cappadocia was elected to the Patriarchate as Jeremias III, he was elected in his place as Metropolitan of Caesarea.[1] As Metropolitan of Caesarea, his more important act was restoring in 1728 the monastery of Saint John the Forerunner at Zincidere in Cappadocia.[1]

He was appointed as Patriarch on 27 Sept 1734[2] supported by the Dragoman of the Porte, the fanariote Alexander Gikas.[3] His subjection to the Dragoman caused the Grand Vizier to order his deposition six years later, in August 1740.[4] Neophytus reigned again for a short term, from May 1743 to March 1744,[2] and during this term he was ordered by the Grand Vizier not to have any contact with Alexander Gikas.[4]

His Patriarchal reign was not marked by any particular event, and Neophytus mainly dealt with monastic issues. He had letters with Nicolaus Zinzendorf, the reformer of the Moravian Church, but without any result.[5] After his second and final deposition, he was exiled in Patmos where he died in February or March 1747.[2]

Notes edit

  1. ^ a b Moustakas Konstantinos. "Neophytos VI of Constantinople". Encyclopaedia of the Hellenic World, Asia Minor. Retrieved 25 June 2011.
  2. ^ a b c Kiminas, Demetrius (2009). The Ecumenical Patriarchate. Wildside Press LLC. p. 41. ISBN 978-1-4344-5876-6.
  3. ^ "Neophytos VI". Ecumenical Patriarchate. Retrieved 25 June 2011.
  4. ^ a b Papadopoullos, Theodōros (1952). Studies and documents relating to the history of the Greek Church and people under Turkish domination. Brussels. p. 50.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  5. ^ Fortescue, Adrian (1908). The Orthodox Eastern Church. Catholic Truth Society. p. 254.
Religious titles
Preceded by Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople
1734–1740
Succeeded by
Preceded by Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople
1743–1744