View source for Gerasimus II (Palladas) of Alexandria

'''Gerasimus II of Alexandria''' was the [[Patriarch]] of the [[Church of Alexandria]] from 1688 to 1710. 

Little is known of his early life or of his patriarchate. He was born in [[Archdiocese of Crete|Crete]] in the first half of the seventeenth century.<ref name=SYNAX>Great Synaxaristes: {{el icon}} ''[http://www.synaxarion.gr/gr/sid/1769/sxsaintinfo.aspx Ὁ Ἅγιος Γεράσιμος ὁ Παλλαδὰς Πατριάρχης Ἀλεξανδρείας].'' 16 Ιανουαρίου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.</ref> 

He served as [[Metropolis of Kastoria|Bishop of Kastoria]],<ref name=SYNAX/> and was later installed as [[Patriarch of Alexandria]] on [[November 3]], 1688, succeding the deceased Patriarch [[Parthenius I of Alexandria]], who was killed in the earthquake of 1688 in Smyrna in Asia Minor.

He was distinguished for his preaching, having written a great number of [[Homily|homilies]].<ref name=ALEXANDRIA> [http://www.patriarchateofalexandria.com/index.php?module=content&cid=001003&id=180&lang=en GERASIMOS II PALLADAS (1688-1710)]. Official web site of Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa. Retrieved: 2013-03-07.</ref> He was accused of innovation during the [[Divine Liturgy]], at the point of the sanctification of the Precious Gifts, which brought on a reaction from the Ecumenical Patriarch, and the ending of the misunderstanding.<ref name=ALEXANDRIA/> 

One incident related to Gerasimus concerned the wonderworking Kykkos [[icon]] of [[Theotokos|Mother of God]] "Merciful" of Cyprus. A feature of the icon is that no one can see the original, as it is kept under a covering. In 1699, Patr. Gerasimus was the last person who removed the covering and was punished. Only after he offered a prayer to the Mother of God was his wrongdoing forgiven.

Patriarch Gerasimus II resigned from his duties on January 20, 1710 because of old age,<ref name=ALEXANDRIA/> and reposed in 1714. He is honoured as a Saint of the Church and is commemorated annually on [[January 16]].<ref name=SYNAX/> 


{{start box}}
{{succession|
before=[[Parthenius I of Alexandria|Parthenius I]]|
title=[[List of Patriarchs of Alexandria|Patriarch of Alexandria]]|
years=1688&ndash;1710|
after=[[Samuel of Alexandria|Samuel]]}}
{{end box}}

==References== 
<div><references/></div>

==Sources==
* Great Synaxaristes: {{el icon}} ''[http://www.synaxarion.gr/gr/sid/1769/sxsaintinfo.aspx Ὁ Ἅγιος Γεράσιμος ὁ Παλλαδὰς Πατριάρχης Ἀλεξανδρείας].'' 16 Ιανουαρίου. ΜΕΓΑΣ ΣΥΝΑΞΑΡΙΣΤΗΣ.
* [http://www.patriarchateofalexandria.com/index.php?module=content&cid=001003&id=180&lang=en GERASIMOS II PALLADAS (1688-1710)]. Official web site of Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa. Retrieved: 2013-03-07.
* [[w:Patriarch Gerasimus II of Alexandria|Patriarch Gerasimus II of Alexandria]]. Wikipedia.
* [http://rulers.org/relig.html Religious leaders]. Rulers.org.
* [http://www.icon.lt/list/kykkos.htm  Kykkos icon of Mother of God "Merciful"]

[[Category:Bishops]]
[[Category:17th-18th-century bishops]]
[[Category:18th-century saints]]
[[Category:Patriarchs of Alexandria]]
[[Category:Greek Saints]]