Difference between revisions of "Athenagoras I (Spyrou) of Constantinople"

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[[Patriarch]] Athenagoras was born Aristokles Spyrou in Vasilikón, near Ioánnina, Epirus, Greece, on [[March 25]], 1886. The son of the village doctor, his mother died when he was only 13. He attended the [[Theological School of Halki|Patriarchical Theological School]], graduating in 1910. Upon graduating he was [[ordination|ordained]] to the [[diaconate]] taking the name Athenagoras. He served as [[archdeacon]] of the [[Diocese of Pelagonia]] before becoming the secretary to [[Archbishop]] [[Meletius IV (Metaxakis) of Constantinople|Meletius (Metaxakis)]] of Athens in 1919. He was raised to the episcopacy as the [[Metropolitan of Corfu]] in 1922.  
 
[[Patriarch]] Athenagoras was born Aristokles Spyrou in Vasilikón, near Ioánnina, Epirus, Greece, on [[March 25]], 1886. The son of the village doctor, his mother died when he was only 13. He attended the [[Theological School of Halki|Patriarchical Theological School]], graduating in 1910. Upon graduating he was [[ordination|ordained]] to the [[diaconate]] taking the name Athenagoras. He served as [[archdeacon]] of the [[Diocese of Pelagonia]] before becoming the secretary to [[Archbishop]] [[Meletius IV (Metaxakis) of Constantinople|Meletius (Metaxakis)]] of Athens in 1919. He was raised to the episcopacy as the [[Metropolitan of Corfu]] in 1922.  
  
In 1930 [[Metropolitan Damaskinos]], after returning from a trip to the [[Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America]], recommened to Patriarch [[Photius II of Constantinople|Photios II]] that Athenagoras be appointed Archbishop of America. Damaskinos felt that Athenagoras was best suited to bring harmony to the archdiocese, and Photios made the appointment on [[August 30]], 1930.  
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In 1930, [[Metropolitan Damaskinos]], after returning from a trip to the [[Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America]], recommened to Patriarch [[Photius II of Constantinople|Photios II]] that Athenagoras be appointed Archbishop of America. Damaskinos felt that Athenagoras was best suited to fix the many problems of the archdiocese, and Photios made the appointment on [[August 30]], 1930.  
  
When Archbishop Athenagoras assumed his new position on [[February 24]], 1931, he was faced with the task of bringing unity and harmony to a diocese that was racked with dissension between Royalists and Venizelists who had virtually divided the country into independent dioceses. To correct this he centralized the eccelesiastical administration in the Archdiocese offices with all other bishops serving as auxiliaries, appointed to assist the archbishop, without dioceses and administrative rights of their own. He actively worked with his communities to establish harmony. He expanded the work of the clergy-laity congresses and founded the [[Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology (Brookline, Massachusetts)|Holy Cross School of Theology]]. Through his capable leadership he withstood the early opposition and gained the love and devotion of his people.
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When he assumed his new position on [[February 24]], 1931, Athenagoras was faced with the task of bringing unity and harmony to a diocese that was racked with dissension between Royalists and Venizelists who had virtually divided the country into independent dioceses. To correct this he centralized the eccelesiastical administration in the Archdiocesean offices with all other bishops serving as auxiliaries, appointed to assist the archbishop, without dioceses and administrative rights of their own. He actively worked with his communities to facilitate these reforms. He expanded the work of the clergy-laity congresses and founded the [[Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology (Brookline, Massachusetts)|Holy Cross School of Theology]]. His capable leadership allowed him to withstand the early opposition he faced and eventually gain the love and devotion of his flock.
  
On [[November 1]], 1948, Abp. Athenagoras was elected Patriarch of [[Constantinople]]. He was honored to be flown to Istanbul to assume his new position in the personal airplane of the American president Harry Truman. As patriarch, he was actively involved with the [[World Council of Churches]] and improving relations with the Bishop of Rome. He died in Istanbul on July 7, 1972.
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On [[November 1]], 1948, Athenagoras was elected Patriarch of [[Constantinople]], and was flown to Istanbul in the personal airplane of then-president Harry Truman. As patriarch, he was actively involved with the [[World Council of Churches]] and improving relations with the [[Pope]]. His long reign ended with his died in Istanbul on July 7, 1972.
  
 
==Legacy==
 
==Legacy==

Revision as of 16:53, September 12, 2006

Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras I (left) with Pope Paul VI

Patriarch Athenagoras I (March 25, 1886–July 7, 1972) was the 268th Patriarch of Constantinople from 1948 to 1972.

Life

Patriarch Athenagoras was born Aristokles Spyrou in Vasilikón, near Ioánnina, Epirus, Greece, on March 25, 1886. The son of the village doctor, his mother died when he was only 13. He attended the Patriarchical Theological School, graduating in 1910. Upon graduating he was ordained to the diaconate taking the name Athenagoras. He served as archdeacon of the Diocese of Pelagonia before becoming the secretary to Archbishop Meletius (Metaxakis) of Athens in 1919. He was raised to the episcopacy as the Metropolitan of Corfu in 1922.

In 1930, Metropolitan Damaskinos, after returning from a trip to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, recommened to Patriarch Photios II that Athenagoras be appointed Archbishop of America. Damaskinos felt that Athenagoras was best suited to fix the many problems of the archdiocese, and Photios made the appointment on August 30, 1930.

When he assumed his new position on February 24, 1931, Athenagoras was faced with the task of bringing unity and harmony to a diocese that was racked with dissension between Royalists and Venizelists who had virtually divided the country into independent dioceses. To correct this he centralized the eccelesiastical administration in the Archdiocesean offices with all other bishops serving as auxiliaries, appointed to assist the archbishop, without dioceses and administrative rights of their own. He actively worked with his communities to facilitate these reforms. He expanded the work of the clergy-laity congresses and founded the Holy Cross School of Theology. His capable leadership allowed him to withstand the early opposition he faced and eventually gain the love and devotion of his flock.

On November 1, 1948, Athenagoras was elected Patriarch of Constantinople, and was flown to Istanbul in the personal airplane of then-president Harry Truman. As patriarch, he was actively involved with the World Council of Churches and improving relations with the Pope. His long reign ended with his died in Istanbul on July 7, 1972.

Legacy

His meeting with Pope Paul VI in 1964 in Jerusalem led to rescinding the 1054 excommunications of the Great Schism. This was a significant step towards restoring communion between Rome and Constantinople. It produced the Catholic-Orthodox Joint declaration of 1965, which was read out on December 7, 1965, simultaneously at a public meeting of the Second Vatican Council in Rome and at a special ceremony in Istanbul. The declaration did not end the 1054 schism, but showed a desire for greater reconciliation between the two churches, represented by Pope Paul VI and Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras I. Nevertheless, not all Orthodox leaders at the time were happy with this Catholic-Orthodox Joint declaration, e.g., Metr. Philaret's 1965 epistle to the patriarch.

Succession box:
Athenagoras I (Spyrou) of Constantinople
Preceded by:
?
Archbishop of North and South America
Church of Constantinople

1931-1948
Succeeded by:
Michael
Preceded by:
Maximus V
Patriarch of Constantinople
1948-1972
Succeeded by:
Demetrios I
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