Joachim III of Constantinople

His All-Holiness Joachim III was the Patriarch of Constantinople during two periods that bridged the nineteenth and twentieth centuries: 1878 to 1884 and 1901 to 1912.

Life

Joachim was born in Constantinople in 1834. After receiving his early education in Constantinople he continued it in Vienna, Austria. He entered the clergy in Vienna when he was ordained a deacon and served at the Church of St. George from 1858 to 1861. He also served as protosyngellos for Patriarch Joachim II, his predecessor.

Joachim was elected to the patriarchal throne in 1878. In addition to maintaining a spiritual atmosphere within the patriarchate, Joachim’s efforts in office included strengthening the organization of the patriarchal offices and improving the financial status of the patriarchate. To communicate with faithful he established the magazine “Truth”. He also re-organized the philanthropic and educational charities of the patriarchate. During 1882, a new building, sponsored by Patr. Joachim, for the Great School of the Nation (Μεγάλη του Γένους Σχολή) was completed in the Phanar district, greatly expanding the school’s services for the Greek population.

After his removal from the patriarchal throne in 1884, Joachim remained in Constantinople until 1889 when he moved to a monastery on Mount Athos. He remained on Mount Athos until 1901, when he was re-elected to the patriarchal throne.

Upon returning as patriarch, Joachim III was confronted by the upheaval within the Orthodox community in the Ottoman Balkans as Bulgarians and Serbians strove to use their languages and their ethnic clergy in their communities as the Ottoman government was confronted with various national movements in the new century. In this environment he formed new horizons for the mission of the patriarchate as it entered the twentieth century.

Joachim reposed in Constantinople while still patriarch in 1912.

Succession box: Joachim III of Constantinople
Preceded by: Joachim II	Patriarch of Constantinople 1878-1884	Succeeded by: Joachim IV
Preceded by: Constantine V	Patriarch of Constantinople 1901-1912	Succeeded by: Germanus V

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Sources

• Ec-patr: Joachim III
• Wikipedia: Patriarch Joachim III of Constantinople

External links

• Wikipedia: Phanar Greek Orthodox College
• Phantis: Great School of the Nation