His Holiness '''Benjamin I (Kiriakou)''' (Greek: Βενιαμίν A') (1871-1946), was the [[Image:Benjamin1.jpgList of Patriarchs of Constantinople|thumb266th Successor]] to the [[Apostle Andrew]] and [[Church of Constantinople|Ecumenical Patriarch Benjamin Iof Constantinople]]from 1936 to 1946.

His All-Holiness '''Benjamin I''' (Greek: Βενιαμίν A') (==Early life==He was born in the village of Stypsi in Lesvos in 1871-1946), was and later studied at the [[List of Patriarchs Halki|Theological School of Constantinople|266th SuccessorHalki]] to the . In 1912 he became Metropolitan of Rhodes, and in 1913, Metropolitan of Silyvria, and then later, Metropolitan of Philippolis. In 1921 he was elected Metropolitan of [[Apostle AndrewNicea]] and [[Church of Constantinople|Ecumenical Patriarch in 1933 as Metropolitan of Constantinople]] from (1936-1946)Iraklion.

He was born in ==Election controversy and patriarchate ==Following the village death of Stypsi in Patriarch [[LesvosPhotius II of Constantinople|Photius]] in 1871 1935, his most likely successor was considered the then Metropolitan of Chalcedon, and later studied at the Patriarch, [[HalkiMaximus V of Constantinople|Theological School of HalkiMaximus]]. In 1912 he became [[However, the Prefect of Istanbul eliminated (as was his right) Maximus and Joachim from the election. It is believed this may have occurred as a result of a relationship between Iakovos, Metropolitan of Rhodes]]Imbros and Tenedos, who was trying to promote his own candidacy for the Patriarchate and in 1913the Turkish Interior Minister and Deputy of Canakkale (of which Imbros and Tenedos were a dependency). However, on [[Metropolitan of ΣηλυβρείαςJanuary 18]], and then later1936, the [[Metropolitan of PhilippolisHoly Synod]]. In 1921 he was instead elected [[Metropolitan of Nicaea]] and in 1933 as [[Metropolitan Benjamin by a vote of 7 to 6. The contentious nature of Iraklion]]the election would prove to make relations within the Patriarchate difficult. His enthronement was marred by hostile episodes.

Following Hitherto, patriarchal elections were announced by the death of [[Photius II|City Prefect, however Patriarch Photius]] in 1935, his most likely successor Benjamin's election was considered announced by both the then [[Metropolitan of Chalcedon]], Turkish President and later Patriarchthe Prime Minister, [[Maximus V|Maximus]]. However, the Prefect of Istanbul eliminated (as was his right) Maximus and Joachim from well as the election. It is believed this may have occured as a result Minister of a relationship between the Turkish Interior Minister and Deputy of Canakkale and Iakovos, Metropolitan of Imbros and Tenedos, who tried to promote his own candidacy for the Patriarchate. However, the Holy Synod instead elected Benjamin by a vote of 7 to 6all sent congratulatory letters.

During Despite the unfavorable conditions of his patriarchate in 1941 a great fire destroyed election and the [[Patriarchal Palace]] in outbreak of World War II, his reign can be characterized as having consolidated the [[Phanar]]. A new Palace was erected Patriarchate during a difficult period in 1989 by [[P. Aggelopoulos]]its history.

During his tenure a synodal tome declaring the autocephaly of the Church of Albania was issued (April 3, 1937), the Carpatho---Russian Uniates of the United States returned the Holy Orthodox Church and finally, the autocephaly of the Church of Bulgaria was recognized, healing the schism of 1872.

The Veniamin Also during this time, in 1941 a great fire destroyed the [[Patriarchal Palace]] in the [[Phanar]]. A new Palace was erected in 1989 by P. Aggelopoulos. Patriarch Istamboul from 18 January 1936 until Benjamin died on [[February 17 February ]], 1946after a long illness.

In 1935, afterwards Also noteworthy is the death of fact that Patriarch Fwtj'oy of B, his more likely successor they Benjamin was considered the then Metropolite Halkido'nos (and later Patriarch) Ma'xjmos. However, the Prefect Istamboul erased (as he has right) their Halkido'nos Ma'xjmo and De'rkwn Jwakej'm from the list eklogj'mwn. It is considered that this happened because the then Minister of Internal Turkey and deputy of province Tsana'kale, where depends and Imbros, was connected with the Metropolite Imbros and Tenedos Ja'kwvo. It is considered therefore that with first patriarch to be granted formal permission to publicly wear his own command were erased the two prevailing candidates, so that is promoted clerical rason by the Metropolite Imbros as Oecumenical PatriarchTurkish state.

Despite the unfavourable conditions of election and despite the outbreak of B of World War that happened at the duration of his Patriarchy, this can be characterized as achieved and consolidating for the Oecumenical Patriarchate, in a difficult period of his History. Mallow point was the big fire 1941, which destroyed big part of Patrjarhjkoy' of House in the Lantern (damage which was restored completely hardly in 1989). The Patriarch Veniamin died on 17 February 1946. ---==Sources==*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wikiw/index.php?title=Patriarch_Benjamin_I_of_Constantinople &oldid=84278702 ''Patriarch Benjamin I of Constantinople'' at Wikipedia] *[http://el.wikipedia.org/wikiw/index.php?title=%CE%A0%CE%B1%CF%84%CF%81%CE%B9%CE%AC%CF%81%CF%87%CE%B7%CF%82_%CE%92%CE%B5%CE%BD%CE%B9%CE%B1%CE%BC%CE%AF%CE%BD Greek Language &oldid=276629 ''Πατριάρχης Βενιαμίν'' at Wikipedia](Greek) *[http://www.ec-patr.grorg/list/index.php?lang=en&id=324 Ecumenical PatriarchateBenjamin]*[http://www.imr.gr/content.php?menuid=23 History of the Diocese Rhodes] In Greek

before=Gerasimos|title=Metropolitan of Rhodes|years=1912 - 1913|after=Apostolos I (Triphonos)}}{{succession|before=?|title=Metropolitan of Silyvria|years=1913 - ?|after=?}}{{succession|before=?|title=Metropolitan of Philippolis|years=? - 1921|after=?}}{{succession|before=?|title=Metropolitan of Nicea|years=1921 - 1933|after=?}}{{succession|before=?|title=Metropolitan of Iraklion|years=1933 - 1936|after=?}}{{succession|before=[[Photius II of Constantinople|Photius II]]|

after=[[Maximus V of Constantinople|Maximus V]]}}