Michael (Konstantinides) of America
His Eminence, the Most Reverend Archbishop Michael (Konstantinides), (Greek: Μιχαήλ Κωνσταντινίδης), was the Primate of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North and South America from December 18, 1949 to July 13, 1958. Abp. Michael succeeded Abp. Athenagoras who had been named Patriarch of Constantinople.
Born Michael Konstantinides, little is known of his early life. Michael was ordained to the priesthood in 1919 and was elected Metropolitan of Corinth in 1939. Metr. Michael was appointed in late 1949 to head the American Archdiocese to succeed Abp. Athenagoras after the first choice, Metropolitan Timotheos (Evangelinidis) (formerly of Australia and New Zealand), refused the appointment due to poor health (reposing later that year).
In administering the archdiocese Abp. Michael focused his attention on the inner life and order of the Church. He urged the recitation of the Lord's Prayer and Creed in both Greek and English. Through an invitation by President Eisenhower, Abp. Michael offered the first Orthodox prayer at a U. S. Presidential inauguration in January 1957. He was particularly active in expansion of the educational activities of St Basil Academy in Garrison, New York.
Abp. Michael served as the ruling archbishop of the Archdiocese of America until his repose on July 13, 1958. He was buried on the grounds of St Basil Academy, the academy that he loved.
| Michael (Konstantinides) of America | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by: ? |
Metropolitan of Corinth 1939-1949 |
Succeeded by: ? |
| Preceded by: Athenagoras |
Archbishop of North and South America 1949-1958 |
Succeeded by: Iakovos (Coucouzis) |