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.

== Early Life Election controversy and patriarchate ==Following the death of Patriarch [[Photius II of Constantinople|Photius]] in 1935, his most likely successor was considered the then Metropolitan of Chalcedon, and later Patriarch, [[Maximus V of Constantinople|Maximus]]. 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 Imbros and Tenedos, who was trying to promote his own candidacy for the Patriarchate and the Turkish Interior Minister and Deputy of Canakkale (of which Imbros and Tenedos were a dependency). However, on [[January 18]], 1936, the [[Holy Synod]] instead elected [[Metropolitan]] Benjamin by a vote of 7 to 6. The contentious nature of the election would prove to make relations within the Patriarchate difficult. His enthronement was marred by hostile episodes.

He Hitherto, patriarchal elections were announced by the City Prefect, however Patriarch Benjamin's election was born in announced by both the village of Stypsi in [[Lesvos]] in 1871 Turkish President and later studied at the [[Halki|Theological School of Halki]]. In 1912 he became [[Metropolitan of Rhodes]]Prime Minister, and in 1913, [[Metropolitan as well as the Minister of Σηλυβρείας]]the Interior, and then later, [[Metropolitan of Philippolis]]. In 1921 he was elected [[Metropolitan of Nicaea]] and in 1933 as [[Metropolitan of Iraklion]]who all sent congratulatory letters.

== Election Controversy Despite the unfavorable conditions of his election and the outbreak of World War II, his reign can be characterized as having consolidated the Patriarchate ==during a difficult period in its history.

Following During his tenure a synodal tome declaring the death autocephaly of [[Photius II|Patriarch Photius]] in 1935, his most likely successor was considered the then [[Metropolitan Church of Chalcedon]]Albania was issued (April 3, and later Patriarch, [[Maximus V|Maximus]]. However1937), the Prefect Carpatho-Russian Uniates of Istanbul eliminated (as was his right) Maximus and Joachim from the election. It is believed this may have occured as a result of a relationship between Iakovos, Metropolitan of Imbros United States returned the Holy Orthodox Church and Tenedosfinally, who was trying to promote his own candidacy for the Patriarchate and autocephaly of the Turkish Interior Minister and Deputy Church of Canakkale (of which Imbros and Tenedos were a dependency). However, on 18 January 1936Bulgaria was recognized, healing the Holy Synod instead elected Metropolitan Benjamin by a vote of 7 to 6. The contentious nature schism of the election would prove to make relations within the Patriarchate difficult1872.

Despite the unfavorable conditions of his election and the outbreak of World War II, his reign can be characterized as having consolidated the Patriarchate during a difficult period in its history. 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 Benjamin died on [[February 17 February ]], 1946after a long illness.

==Sources==*[http://en.wikipedia.org/w/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]]}}