Patriarch Matthew II of Constantinople
Encyclopedia
Matthew II was Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople three times, shortly in 1596, from 1598 to 1602 and for a few days in 1603.
community, Matthew was born in the village Kleinovo (now part of Kalabaka), and he became Metropolitan
of Ioannina
. In early 1596 he was elected Ecumenical Patriarch, but the election was not recognized because the Holy Synod
that elected him was not attended by all the members; thus, after twenty days Matthew was forced to resign and moved to Mount Athos
.
In April 1598 Matthew was elected again and remained on the throne until January 1602, when he returned to Mount Athos. During his Patriarchate Matthew transferred the patriarchal see
from the Church of St. Demetrius Xyloportas, used since 1597, to the church of St. George
in the Fanar
, where it remains until today. He also canonized the Blessed Philothei
, who was martyred a few years before in Athens
.
Once again, he ascended to the throne in January 1603 and reigned for seventeen days, either until his death, or, according to other sources, until he retired to Mount Athos, where he died in the same year.
Life
Member of the VlachAromanians
Aromanians are a Latin people native throughout the southern Balkans, especially in northern Greece, Albania, the Republic of Macedonia, Bulgaria, and as an emigrant community in Serbia and Romania . An older term is Macedo-Romanians...
community, Matthew was born in the village Kleinovo (now part of Kalabaka), and he became Metropolitan
Metropolitan bishop
In Christian churches with episcopal polity, the rank of metropolitan bishop, or simply metropolitan, pertains to the diocesan bishop or archbishop of a metropolis; that is, the chief city of a historical Roman province, ecclesiastical province, or regional capital.Before the establishment of...
of Ioannina
Ioannina
Ioannina , often called Jannena within Greece, is the largest city of Epirus, north-western Greece, with a population of 70,203 . It lies at an elevation of approximately 500 meters above sea level, on the western shore of lake Pamvotis . It is located within the Ioannina municipality, and is the...
. In early 1596 he was elected Ecumenical Patriarch, but the election was not recognized because the Holy Synod
Holy Synod
In several of the autocephalous Eastern Orthodox churches and Eastern Catholic Churches, the patriarch or head bishop is elected by a group of bishops called the Holy Synod...
that elected him was not attended by all the members; thus, after twenty days Matthew was forced to resign and moved to Mount Athos
Mount Athos
Mount Athos is a mountain and peninsula in Macedonia, Greece. A World Heritage Site, it is home to 20 Eastern Orthodox monasteries and forms a self-governed monastic state within the sovereignty of the Hellenic Republic. Spiritually, Mount Athos comes under the direct jurisdiction of the...
.
In April 1598 Matthew was elected again and remained on the throne until January 1602, when he returned to Mount Athos. During his Patriarchate Matthew transferred the patriarchal see
Episcopal See
An episcopal see is, in the original sense, the official seat of a bishop. This seat, which is also referred to as the bishop's cathedra, is placed in the bishop's principal church, which is therefore called the bishop's cathedral...
from the Church of St. Demetrius Xyloportas, used since 1597, to the church of St. George
Church of St. George, Istanbul
The Church of St. George is the principal Greek Orthodox cathedral still in use in Istanbul, the largest city in Turkey and , the capital of the Byzantine Empire until 1453...
in the Fanar
Fanar
Fanar commonly refers to:*Fanar , a mosque in Qatar.*Fanar , a neighborhood in Istanbul....
, where it remains until today. He also canonized the Blessed Philothei
Philothei
Saint Philothei was born in Athens to an illustrious and wealthy family. Against her will, she was married to a cruel man. When he died three years later, the Saint gave away her worldly belongings, took up the monastic life and established a convent, in which she became a mother to her disciples...
, who was martyred a few years before in Athens
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
.
Once again, he ascended to the throne in January 1603 and reigned for seventeen days, either until his death, or, according to other sources, until he retired to Mount Athos, where he died in the same year.