Methodius III, called Moronis or Maronis , was Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople in 1668–1671.

Descended from Crete

Crete

Crete is the largest and most populous of the Greek islands, the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, and one of the thirteen administrative regions of Greece. It forms a significant part of the economy and cultural heritage of Greece while retaining its own local cultural traits...

, he served at the Church of the Theotokos

Theotokos

Theotokos is the Greek title of Mary, the mother of Jesus used especially in the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, and Eastern Catholic Churches. Its literal English translations include God-bearer and the one who gives birth to God. Less literal translations include Mother of God...

 of Chrysopigi in Galata

Galata

Galata or Galatae is a neighbourhood in the Beyoğlu district on the European side of Istanbul, the largest city of Turkey. Galata is located at the northern shore of the Golden Horn, the inlet which separates it from the historic peninsula of old Constantinople. The Golden Horn is crossed by...

. In 1646 he was elected Metropolitan of Heraclea, and on 5 January 1668 he was elected Ecumenical Patriarch, succeeding Patriarch Clement.

But because former Patriarch Parthenius was hostile towards him, he was forced to resign in March 1671 and to become a monk in the Nea Moni of Chios

Nea Moni of Chios

Nea Moni is an 11th century monastery on the island of Chios that has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is located on the Provateio Oros Mt. in the island's interior, about 15 km from Chios town...

 and after that in the Strofades Monastery in Zakynthos

Zakynthos

Zakynthos , also Zante, the other form often used in English and in Italian , is a Greek island in the Ionian Sea. It is the third largest of the Ionian Islands. It is also a separate regional unit of the Ionian Islands region, and the only municipality of the regional unit. It covers an area of ...

. In 1677 he went to Venice

Venice

Venice is a city in northern Italy which is renowned for the beauty of its setting, its architecture and its artworks. It is the capital of the Veneto region...

 and became commissioner in the orthodox Church of Saint George

San Giorgio dei Greci

San Giorgio dei Greci is a church in the sestiere or neighborhood of Castello, Venice, northern Italy. It was the center of the Scuola dei Greci, the Confraternity of the Greeks in Venice....

 which served the local Greek-speaking community, until 1679 when he died.

Sources

• Ecumenical Patriarchate
• Νεώτερον Εγκυκλοπαιδικόν Λεξικόν Ηλίου Vol. 13, p.172.