Changes

Following the death of [[Photius II of Constantinople|Patriarch 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 occured 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 January ]], 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.

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 ]], 1946.