View source for Sophronius IV of Alexandria

[[Image:PatrSofronios-III-IV.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Patriarch Sophronius III of Constantinople 1863 - 1866 <br> Patriarch Sophronius IV of Alexandria 1870 - 1899]] 
His Beatitude, '''Sophronius III''' was Patriarch of Constantinople from 1863 to 1866. He also served as '''Sophronius IV''' Patriarch of Alexandria from 1870 to 1899.

==Life==
Little is known of the early life of Patr. Sophronius other than his birth in 1798. In 1866, he became involved in a dispute that the [[Archbishop]] of Sinai, Cyril Byzantius, had with his [[monk]]s. To obtain help in settling the dispute Abp. Cyril approached, by letter, the [[Patriarch]] of Constantinople instead of the Patriarch of Jerusalem, who had traditionally enthroned the ruling [[bishop]] of Sinai. Patr. Sophronius supported Abp. Cyril against the monks, but the Patriarch of Jerusalem objected to this interference by [[Church of Constantinople|Constantinople]] in the affairs at [[Mount Sinai]], noting his, the Patriarch of Constantinople's, "anti-canonical interference and his foreign and unknown authority", <ref>[[http://www.scribd.com/doc/3278320/Patriarchs-of-Constantinople]]  Claude Delaval Cobham, ''The Patriarchs of Constantinople'', Adrian Fortescue, Introduction I, p38</ref> and summoned a [[synod]]. The synod supported the Patriarch of Jerusalem and [[deposition|deposed]] Abp. Cyril, and also Patr. Sophronius resigned from the [[see]] in Constantinople.

After his election to the [[see]] of the Patriarch of Alexandria Sophronius was [[enthronement|enthroned]] as Sophronius IV on [[June 11]], 1870. He was a compromise candidate in a disputed election. In September 1872, Patr. Sophronius participated in the council in Constantinople that condemned as [[schism|schismatic]] the action by the Bulgarian Exarchate ([[Church of Bulgaria|Bulgarian Orthodox Church]]) declaring itself [[autocephaly|autocephalous]] as recognized by the [[Ottoman Turk Documents|firman]] of Sultan Abdülaziz I of the [[Ottoman empire|Ottoman Empire]].

In 1888, he laid the foundations of the church of the Transfiguration of the Savior in Port Said.

His patriarchy was marred by the persecution and exile of Metropolitan Nectarios of Pentapolis, later recognized as a saint by the Church.

He served in Alexandria as until his death on [[September 3]], 1899.

==Reference==
<references/>

{{start box}}
{{succession|
before=Joachim II|
title=[[List of Patriarchs of Constantinople|Patriarch of Constantinople]]|
years= 1863-1866|
after=[[Gregory VI of Constantinople|Gregory VI]]}}
{{succession|
before=Nicanor|
title=[[List of Patriarchs of Alexandria|Patriarch of Alexandria]]|
years= 1870-1899|
after=[[Photius of Alexandria|Photius]]}}
{{end box}} 

==Sources==
*[[w:Patriarch_Sophoronius_III_of_Constantinople]]
*[http://www.orthodoxresearchinstitute.org/articles/church_history/makarios_patriarchate_alexandria.htm  The Patriarchate of Alexandria Down the Centuries]
*[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08364a.htm  Catholic Encyclopedia: Jerusalem {After 1291)]
*[http://rulers.org/relig.html Religious leaders] 

[[Category: Bishops]]
[[category: Patriarchs of Constantinople]]
[[category: Patriarchs of Alexandria]]
[[Category:19th-century bishops]]